The government is taking the necessary steps to improve the basic living conditions of tribespeople in the State, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said.
During his visit to the Kaananasangamom, being organised by the Department of Forests at the Kanakkunnu grounds, here on Tuesday, Mr. Chandy said the government had decided to accept several suggestions put forth by the representatives of tribal population and take necessary steps to implement them.
The government was exploring the possibilities of converting livelihood of the tribespeople into a solid income-generating source. Setting up a medicinal garden on 100 acres of land with irrigation facilities was one of the projects being envisaged. The Chief Conservator of Forests has already been asked to look into the project proposal and put forth suggestions, Mr. Chandy said. The government has been able to start off the electrification process in many tribal colonies. Steps will be taken to provide power to the other colonies using solar energy, Mr. Chandy said.
The Forest Department was setting up a separate society, comprising representatives of tribal population, to convert natural forest produce collected by tribespeople into value-added products. The department will collect the raw produce from tribespeople, process and market it.
Considering the memorandums submitted by the tribespeople, Mr. Chandy, said that the CCF had been asked to study the feasibility of constructing a bridge via Pooyamkutty for easier communication of the tribal population with the outside world. He also said that steps would be taken to reduce wild elephant menace in tribals colonies in Nilambur-Chaliyar panchayat.
Forest Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan also accompanied Mr. Chandy to the tribal festival.
