Khammam: The Telangana government which announced welfare schemes to the locals first has decided to give priority to the local koya tribals by issuing forest land pattas to them first keeping in view the large number of gothikoya tribals who have migrated from Chhattisgarh.
The revenue officials in Paloncha and Bhadrachalam divisions are facing problems due to gothikoyas who had migrated from Bastar region in Chhattisgarh and settled in Bhadrachalam and Paloncha divisions.
About 17,000 gothikoyas migrated since 1997 and have made 110 habitations in reserved forest and other 95 in other areas.
Khammam collector S. Srinaresh said that the local tribals were facing problems with the influx of gothikoyas from other states. He said that the gothikoyas have taken up podu cultivation in the lands allotted to local tribals and directed the officials to take measures to protect the locals immediately.
The local koyas, who are not ready to confront with the gothikoyas, lodged several complaints with the officials and public representatives.
The officials identified these tribals as internally displaced persons (IDPs) and have been issuing job cards under MGNREGS. About 65 schools have also been set up for the children of these migrant tribals.
Gothikoyas is one of the primitive tribal groups and they are known for their expertise in podu cultivation.
Green Peace activist P. Narender said, “Protecting the rights of local tribals is very much needed. But the government should not neglect the gothikoyas too as they are not of foreign origin.”
“All the government schemes should be provided to these gothikoyas also,” he added.
