Irrigation project for Tapi tribals awaits forest land acquisition

Vijaysinh Parmar/TNN 31 March 2009, SONGADH: The thirst of Saurashtra's barren land has been quenched by Narmada water, which displaced hundreds of tribal families. Ironically, now the
future of parched land of the tribals in Songadh and Mandvi talukas depends on land in Surendranagar district. The proposed 36-km Ukai-Gordha right bank link canal project was given administrative approval by government in 1997 for which Rs 44.36 crore was also sanctioned. However, the project to irrigate 9,700 hectare land in 10 villages in Songadh and 52 villages in Mandvi is yet to commence because of forest land
acquisition issue. According to sources, as the canal is to pass through forest land, central government approval is needed to acquire the forest land. Executive engineer of Weir-2 (Yojna Vibhag) Vyara BS Chaudhary wrote to Surendranagar district collector urging allotment of 52.27 hectare of compensatory land from the land bank' for afforestation, which would ensure commencement of the proposed project in tribal area. "We need to acquire 52.27 hectare of forest land in project area. We have reserved land bank in Surendranagar. Surendranagar district collector has been asked to take necessary step so that the project could commence at the earliest. The collector's response is awaited," Chaudhary said. "Mandvi and Songadh are tribal-dominated. Majority of people in these talukas have to depend on rain for agriculture. Many a time they have to migrate along with their families in search of livelihood. Irrigation facility will help them to harvest two crops a year. In most of the cases in developmental projects, the tribals are the ones who suffer. If this project is completed, the tribals will benefit from it. We plan to launch an agitation to speed up the process," said Manshing Chaudhary, convener of Ukai Jamna Kantha Naher Adivasi Adhikar Samiti.