Canara First Grade College hosts UGC-sponsored workshop on Malekudias

Canara First Grade College hosts UGC-sponsored workshop on Malekudias

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Mar 5: The socio-cultural research centre of Canara First Grade College organized an UGC-sponsored 1-day workshop titled “Malekudias in Transition: Survey Cum Study on What Needs to be Done,” at the seminar hall of the college on March 5, Saturday.

In his inaugural speech, delivered after inaugurating this workshop, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that the Malekudias are communities that save forests, live in forests, and protect culture. Stating that these communities live in forests, where there is no development, they lack education. The children have to walk 25kms just to reach the school, he added. He also said that if the governments sanctions Rs. 25 lakh for the Malekudias, they can lead a prosperous life.

 

 

 

DC Subodh Yadav released a book titled “Dakshina Kannada Jilla Malekudiara Uliva-Theravu” and said that the Malekudias hardly have any basic facilities in life. He also said that the government has decided that compensation should be given to Malekudias who lack ownership of land or land records. Malekudia families, which are ready to leave the forest, are given Rs. 10 lakh each, a site for a house, and funds to construct a house. He said that the district administration has identified 650 acres of land in Sulkeri, Belthangady for the Malekudia communities.

Elyanna K., a member of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, said that independence did not give them the facilities and land ownership due to them. Urging the government not to grab the land that rightfully belongs to the Mulekudia communities, he said that some members of the community might join the Naxals because of this problem.

Niren Jain, the coordinator of Kudremukh Wild Life Foundation, presented video clippings on the death of wild life and other related problems.

Vaman Kamath, the member of the governing council of CHS Association, proposed the vote of thanks. Deputy Speaker N. Yogesh Bhat was one of the dignitaries on the dais. Dr. G. N. Bhat, the principal of the college, Prameela K., the convener of SCRC, and many others participated in the event.