Farmers, tribespeople want forest officials to be lenient at check-posts
Farmers and tribespeople met with forest officials in Srivilliputtur to request more lenient treatment at forest check-posts. Officials emphasized the need for cooperation to protect the tiger reserve while promising to accommodate medical emergencies.
Why it matters
This reflects the ongoing conflict between conservation efforts in protected areas and the daily mobility needs of local indigenous and farming communities.
At a meeting held at the office of the Deputy Director Srivilliputtur Megamalai Tiger Reserve’s office, farmers and tribespeople wanted the check-post staffs to be lenient and not to humiliate or harass them under the pretext of checks on Tuesday.
The meeting was convened to hear the grievances of the people in the region. Deputy Director Vivek Kumar Yadav, District Forest Officer Kiran and others participated.
The members said that the check-post personnel at the Manjanoothu and Agamalai, were harsh and restricted even the basic goods carried by them. “We have been using the pathway for long years and that we are no strangers to the area,” they claimed.
The members also alleged that the personnel were rude and questioned when some relatives came to our habitation.
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