The District Collector was holding an adalat at the Velamplavu tribal settlement as part of his ‘Ooril Divasom’ (A day in a tribal hamlet) programme, sponsored by the Kudumbasree Mission, on Monday.
The tribespeople said elephants had destroyed crops and other properties in the hamlet. They said bio-fencing had not been successful in preventing wild animals from entering human habitats.
Mr. Harikishore said he would take up the matter with the Forest Department as well as the Tribal Welfare Department. The tribespeople also sought easy road access to the nearest village of Laha and Ranni town.
New road proposed
At present, they have to walk 4 km through rough forest terrains to reach Laha. The panchayat authorities had suggested the construction of a new road linking Laha with the Velamplavu colony. They said the proposed road required acquisition of only a small area of the forest.
Mr. Harikishore said the administration, in association with the Sanitation Mission, would construct latrines in all 24 houses in the colony.
He said the Sanitation Mission would provide financial assistance of Rs.12,000 each for constructing latrines at houses. This is besides the Rs.3,400 financial support for the same from the local self-government institution concerned.
The District Collector said a new building would be constructed for the Anganwady at the colony soon. The Forest Department has offered to facilitate the land required for the same, he said.
He also distributed ration cards to the colony residents.
Sabir Hussein, Kudumbasree Mission district co-ordinator; Gracy Ithaq, District Medical Officer; Girija Madhu, block panchayat president; A.Raheem, District Tribal Welfare Officer; J. Ajithkumar, Taluk Supply Officer; and E.K. Sudhakaran, Sanitation Mission district co-ordinator; accompanied the Collector.