Relocated Melghat villages thrive on wise choices

NAGPUR: Villagers relocated from tiger reserves generally face criticism for spending their compensation money irresponsibly, but those shifted out from Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) in Amravati district have shown it is not always so. They have turned to agriculture by either buying or leasing farmland with compensation money.
A review of seven villages relocated in the past three years shows the number of farmers having lands went up from 338 to 451 as people from Amona, Nagartas, Barukheda, Dhargad, Gullarghat, Somthana Khurd and Somthana Bujruk either bought agriculture land or got it on lease instead of blowing their cash on marriages or vehicles.
The group from these seven villages includes 202 land holders and 249 lease holders. Barukheda, Dhargad and Somthana Bujruk are the most successful villages where farmers could succeed in buying land. In Barukheda, 124 villagers bought lands against original 48 land holders.
“Even if this is true, the process of buying land is slow and tedious as land prices go up when people see a village getting relocated in their area. We had asked villagers to wait for competitive price,” said Kishor Rithe of Satpuda Foundation, who did hand-holding for buying lands.
Relocated villages received a package of Rs 10 lakh per family. “Government achieved this success with a clause of allowing villagers to withdraw money from the bank with joint signature of MTR officer and beneficiary. While withdrawing money, officer concerned ensures that person was withdrawing it for buying assets like agriculture land, tractor, shop etc,” said Praveen Pardeshi, former principal secretary (forest).
Earlier, a study conducted by GN Vankhede of Amravati University in 2012 showed that percentage of landholders was very low prior to relocation in Amona (14%), Nagartas (12%) and Barukheda (28%). “Landless families of relocated villages have better opportunities for getting daily wage work at new place,” the study said.
“Most of the women are getting work in nearby towns and their per capita income has also increased,” Vankhede told TOI. MTR has recently bagged a national award for best village relocation work.
MTR relocated Bori, Koha and Kund villages in 2001-02. Later in 2007-10, Vairat and Churni were relocated during. During 2011-14, seven villages have been relocated during 2011-14. Last month, Kelpani has been shifted.
RELOCATION SUCCESS STORY
*Melghat’s seven villages relocated in last three years
* In 2012, percentage of landholders in these villages was very low
* Now most of the relocated villagers have bought agriculture land at the new site and maintained the status of asset
* Landless families, who were mostly 75%, got better opportunities by way of jobs
* Womenfolk are getting work in nearby towns and their per capita income has increased
* Earlier, there were 338 land holders in these villages. After relocation the number went to 451
* Two villages are recently relocated, hence process of buying land is still on