Tribal leaders convened in Attappady to address the pressing development needs of their communities, culminating in a policy charter aimed at enhancing land rights and tribal welfare. The event,organized by the tribal welfare group Thampu and publication Gothra Bhoomi,attracted around 60 representatives from various tribal organizations across the state .
The forum, named “Ooru Jaddh,” served as platform for participants to voice their concerns and share experiences . Attappady block panchayat president Allan emphasized the necessity for a long-term development strategy,proposing a “Vision 2050” framework to guide empowerment and welfare initiatives. meeting was presided over by Rajendra Prasad,president of Thampu,with contributions from notable tribal leaders including Manish Sreekaryam,Binil Kumar, K.A. Ramu,Dr. Naveen, Chitra Nilambur, and Revathy Udayakumar.
Discussions highlighted significant challenges faced by tribal communities,with input from organizations such as the Adivasi Action Council and Adivasi Aikyavedi. Suggestions were also gathered from those unable to attend meeting. The collaborative efforts led to the creation of a comprehensive document that will be presented to key political figures,including Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan.
The finalized charter includes 100 recommendations addressing critical areas such as social justice, health, education,housing,and infrastructure . Among the key proposals is the allocation of one to five acres of land for each of Kerala’s 1,00,897 tribal families,aimed at combating landlessness,a significant barrier to development. Other recommendations call for the effective enforcement of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA),the strengthening of the Forest Rights Act, and the resolution of longstanding land disputes through a judicial commission. Additionally,the charter advocates for awareness campaigns on laws and welfare schemes, tailored to local tribal languages.
