Rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced has always been a tricky issue in Odisha. The state has witnessed several agitations over the matter in the past. Every time a new industrial project or a newly created wildlife sanctuary necessitates relocation of people, there are protests. People who are asked to move out hardly ever appear satisfied with what they are offered.
That being the general trend, the smooth relocation of 42 families from Lambipali village within the Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary in western Odisha’s Bargarh district to a place under Tangarpali panchayat, about 5 kms away from the sanctuary, comes as great news. It has, in a way, set a new benchmark as far as relocation of human settlements from inside reserve forests and wildlife sanctuaries is concerned.
The move was an initiative of the Hirakud Wildlife Division to minimize human pressure on the sanctuary. The relocation of about 80 people took place under the supervision of forest and district administration officials. The new colony has been provided with necessary amenities such as community toilets, separate bathing ghat for women, water facilities including filters and proper drainage. It has also been electrified. Since most of the people who have moved to the new settlement are gainfully employed as masons, no one is complaining.
The officials, however, did a lot of groundwork before the actual relocation took place. They undertook a series of confidence-building measures while creating awareness among the villagers about the government’s policy on village relocation in such cases. Apart from cash incentives, they may also be provided with a piece of land with a pucca house.
The efforts of the officials paid dividends and the people finally agreed to move following a gram sabha meeting. The case of Debrigarh has proved that peaceful relocation and resettlement of displaced people is possible through persuasion and creation of necessary awareness about the government’s R&R policy.
This example should be followed in areas where misguided people are agitating against industrial projects with potential to generate employment for hundreds of educated Odia youth. In most cases, the protesters are fed with wrong information about the benefits of the projects and the government’s rehabilitation policy by their so-called leaders who have their own axe to grind. This happened in the case of South Korean giant POSCO’s proposed steel plant project in Jagatsinghpur district.
The agitation against POSCO, which turned violent in phases, made it extremely difficult for the state government to acquire land for the project. The company, which had promised the biggest foreign direct investment (FDI) in Odisha, had to finally withdraw from the state. The government must ensure that this does not happen again as it could sully Odisha’s image as an industry-friendly state and one of the most attractive investment destinations in the country.
Comment here