Diary for Writing Group


Banana to boost tribal economy

2016-12-16

BERHAMPUR: The tribal-dominated Gumudumaha village in Kandhamal district, which made headlines in July after five innocent villagers including a child was killed in firing by security forces, is abuzz with activities for economic upliftment of the region. The Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Baliguda, has taken up banana plantation on 20-acres of land with the involvement of 67-odd families of the village. The agency will also dig up wells to provide water for irrigation."We have decided to take up banana plantation in the village. We will dig eight wells for irrigation purpose and also to mitigate water shortage in the village," said Ramesh Chandra Behera, project director ITDA Baliguda.Behera said around Rs 14 lakh would be spent on the project. "The economic condition of the tribal people of the village is likely to somehow change with the cultivation of banana," he added.Five innocent people had died in the alleged exchange of fires in the village on July 8 near the village. Besides state politicians, senior bureaucrats and police officials visited the village on the aftermath of the incident.The government had faced criticism from different quarters, including opposition parties, civil societies and rights activists due to the lack of infrastructure facilities like drinking water, communication, healthcare in the village.Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.