ITDA's new initiative to bring Konda Reddis into mainstream

ITDA Project officer Praveen Kumar interacting with kondareddy tribes at hill top villages korman konda near kunavarm in Khamma district on Wednesday P.O after distributing cloths to the Kondareddy tribes. Photo: G. N. Rao.

In continuation of its efforts to bring the Konda Reddis of the primitive tribal group into mainstream, the Integrated Tribal Development Agency, Bhadrachalam, has initiated a uni-focal strategy envisaging provision of clothes, semi-pucca houses and improved livelihood opportunities for the Konda Reddis living in their hilltop habitations in the Agency.

The new initiative has been taken up as part of the Conservation-cum-Development Plan (CCDP) for Primitive Tribal Groups.

The move gained prominence in the backdrop of the preference shown by an overwhelming number of the Konda Reddis to live in their natural habitat atop the hills.

A section of them had earlier moved to the resettlement colonies constructed by the ITDA down the hills and settled over there following the sustained efforts of the officials concerned in the past.

In an effort to benefit the Konda Reddis those stayed back in their original habitat, the ITDA has embarked on distribution of clothes to the men and women of the tribal community living atop the hills. ITDA Project Officer Praveen Kumar formally launched the distribution of clothes at Karmanukonda hilltop habitation in Kunavaram mandal on Wednesday.

Medical camp

A medical camp was also organised on the occasion. Three children of Konda Reddi tribal community were diagnosed with malaria during the camp. Speaking to The Hindu , Mr Praveen Kumar said the plan had envisaged distribution of clothes including a pair of trousers and shirts to each male member and a sari to each female member of the Konda Reddi families living in all the hilltop habitations at an estimated cost of Rs 4.27 lakh.

Semi-pucca houses

It has also been decided to extend assistance to the Konda Reddis to construct semi-pucca houses in their hilltop habitations, he said adding that the galvanised iron sheets and other material would be provided to them.

Referring to the detection of malaria cases at Karmanukonda hilltop habitation, he said the affected children were treated and provided necessary medicines at the medical camp held in the hilltop habitation.