: The Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshna Samiti (WPSS) has appealed to political parties to address major issues faced by the common man, instead of trivial matters that affect a minor section of the people.
“Almost all parties have highlighted issues such as construction of airstrips, railway line and alternative roads in their manifestos, but have failed to chalk out eco-restoration projects to combat desertification, steps to tackle escalating human-wildlife conflict, rejuvenation of the agriculture sector and measures to improve the living standards of the marginalized section of people, said WPSS president Badusha.
Foreign corporates illegally hold nearly 65,000 acres of land in the district, while there are close to 50,000 landless families, including tribespeople and plantation workers. However, successive governments or political parties are yet to make any attempt to acquire the land from the corporates and distribute it to the landless families. Instead, they compel landless tribespeople to encroach upon the remaining patches of forest, he said.
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