The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is on a project to help tribal people get government jobs. A recent survey by the forest officials found that 10 persons with degree or master’s were rearing cattle, work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) or doing menial work in forest settlements, said Munnar Wildlife Warden G. Prasad.
They were either not aware of the reservation benefits and or not keen on a government job, he said.
The survey prompted the authorities to frame the project Vatmeekom. Under it, the Public Service Commission (PSC) provides training to those with a minimum qualification of Class 8 in writing exams and attending interviews.
The training programme at the Kasrimutty divisional office is now attended by nearly 50 persons, he said. The assistant wildlife warden provides free online registration for PSC exams and help candidates prepare for interviews. The training classes are given by experts.
“Once cocooned in remote forest settlements, even qualified persons lose the will to appear for exams and interviews — a reason why they do not get government jobs. To create reading habit in the settlements, which have no electricity and other means of entertainment, we are also setting up libraries,” he said. One library is already in its final phase, he added.
Books by NGOs
The books were supplied by some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). “However to move the scheme forward we need more books on current affairs and on other topics,” he said. For the urban population, books are now obsolete, thanks to the revolution in the information technology. However, for tribal people in remote settlements, books open up the new windows to a world outside. NGOs and individuals can join the endeavour. Send books to: The member secretary, Anamudy Forest Development Agency, Rajamala, Munnar, Idukki district.
