Tribals of 301 Colony submit 10 key recommendations for settlement development

Residents of 301 Colony in Chinnakkanal Panchayat, located near Mannar, have submitted 10 major recommendations for the development and long-term sustainability of the tribal settlement. During the recent tribal council meeting, known as 'Oru Kuttam', detailed discussions were held on priority issues such as housing, infrastructure, land use, agriculture, and reducing human-wildlife conflict.

The meeting was held on 3 November in the presence of the Adimalee Tribal Development Officer and the Site In-charge of the Tribal Rehabilitation and Development Mission (TRDM). Residents proposed the construction of a modern community hall-cum-library, a model pre-school, and cluster housing. Furthermore, a demand was made for fencing around the settlement to prevent attacks by wild elephants.

The council proposed constructing cluster houses on land reserved for public use and creating robust security with trenches and fencing to prevent animal entry. It was also requested that facilities be provided to those beneficiaries who wish to build houses on individual plots instead of living in clusters. Additionally, the Scheduled Tribes Development Department was requested to provide essential amenities such as electricity, paved roads, drinking water, walkways, and retaining walls, and to renovate old houses.

A significant decision was taken during the meeting that the title deeds (pattayam) of allottees who have not yet taken possession of their plots should be cancelled and that land should be re-allotted to eligible landless families. Beneficiaries who have leased out their plots have been instructed to terminate the contracts, reclaim the land, and commence farming. If they fail to comply, an application will be made to the District Collector to initiate proceedings to recover and evict the land.

Furthermore, it was recommended that an agricultural cooperative society be established for the market of local products once all beneficiaries have taken possession of their plots. The Tribal Development Officer stated that the registration process would begin by electing a committee of 15 members from the beneficiaries. The council also demanded that the administrative process for transferring plot ownership to legal heirs of deceased titleholders and issuing replacement deeds for lost documents be simplified.

The Tribal Development Officer reiterated that those who have leased out their allotted plots must reclaim the land and establish permanent residences there, otherwise, the deeds will be cancelled and re-allotted. The residents of the colony have consented to reclaiming the leased land to establish permanent settlements. According to officials, out of 301 families, 211 families have settled in the colony, while the remaining 90 families have been unable to build houses due to various difficulties and reasons such as deaths.

In the year 2002-03, A.K. Antony's government had allotted one acre of land each to 301 tribal families. However, this decision has long been criticised as the area falls within a natural elephant corridor, posing a constant threat of wild elephant attacks on the settlement. Recently, the Forest Minister admitted that approving human settlement in 301 Colony on a natural elephant corridor in Chinnakkanal was a major mistake by the government.