Mangalore : The Socio- Cultural Research and Study Centre of Canara First Grade College organized a UGC Sponsored one day workshop on ‘Malekudias in Transition; Survey cum study on what needs to be done’ at College Seminar Hall on March 5, Saturday.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel inaugurated the workshop and said that Malekudias are communities of people who save the forest, live in forest and hence save the culture of communities.
He also said that, today the forest is the place, where no developments are taking place and if the Malekudias do not come out of the forests, then the development is possible. But since the government has formed the frame work, they cannot break any rule.
The communities lack education, since they have to walk for 25 km to go to schools.  If the government gives the package of Rs 25 lakhs to the Malekudias, then they will lead a prosperous life, he said.
DC Subodh Yadhav released the book Dakshina Kannada Jilla Malekudiara Uliva- Theravu’. Speaking on the occasion, some of the basic facilities given to the Malekudias are not sufficient.
He also said that the government has decided that the compensation will be given to the Malekudia families who do not have patta (ownership of land) and those who have the records also.
The people who are ready to leave the forest are given the package of Rs 10 lakhs, site for the construction else where and the fund for the construction of the house.
The district administration has also identified 650 acres of land in Sulkeri near Belthangady for the Malekudias.
Elyanna K, Member of Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel said that even after getting independence we did not get the land since the people from other communities had captured it. When asked about the road infrastructure in the place they live, then the government says that the forest will be destroyed.
He also said that some of the soft cornered people who cannot tolerate the problem may join naxalism. He urged the government not to snatch the land from the Malekudia community. The land constitutionally belongs to us and how it will be given to others, he asked.
Niren Jain, co-ordinator, Kudremukh Wild Life Foundation presented the visual clipping on the death of wild life and other confronting the problems.
Vaman Kamath, member governing council, CHS Association proposed vote of thanks. Deputy speaker N Yogesh Bhat was present on the dais.
Dr G N Bhat, principal of the college, Prameela K, Convener, SCRC and others were present.