Suren Ram Korwa of Jagima village in Balrampur district of Chhattisgarh is adapting to a new life these days. He had always lived in a kutcha house. The khaprail roof of the house was unable to protect them from rain. Now he has got a new concrete house which is well protected against rain or thundershowers. He is also adapting to a new life under new conditions.
Suren belongs to the Pahari Korwa tribe that mostly dwells in remote and hilly areas. It belongs to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups ( PVTG). Most of them lack awareness about modern amenities as well as their rights. From basic healthcare facilities to education, the Pahari Korwas don’t have access to any of the facilities. The efforts to provide basic healthcare, sanitation, education and better livelihood opportunities to them has always been very difficult. Owing to poor literacy rate among the Pahari Korwas, the awareness and willingness to take benefits from the government schemes among the tribe has also been found to be lacking. Because of all these reasons, the Pahari Korwas are financially backward and their living conditions are also poor. The government of Chhattisgarh has taken various steps to improve the living conditions of the Pahari Korwas and to provide them new livelihood opportunities. This has been achieved through convergence of various schemes.
Suren Has got a new house constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. He now lives in the house with his family. “Earlier I was living in a house where the roof could not save us from rain. Now I am protected here. The house is also provides safety from other dangers.” Suren says.
Apart from the house Suren has got free electrification under the Saubhagya Yojana. For the first time he and his family has started using electricity. The family now uses modern amenities with the help of electricity. He has also got gas connection under the Ujjwala Scheme. Similarly various other schemes have also been converged to provide them various amenities. Under the FRA (Forest Rights Act), Suren has been allotted a plot of land for agricultural purpose. He has also been getting training in advanced methods of farming.
Suren’s family has been provided all these facilities as part of the government’s scheme to bring the Pahari Korwa’s to the mainstream. They have been encouraged to settle in modern settlements. In Jagima village, 35 acres of land have been allotted to Pahari Korwa families for agricultural purpose. They are now getting support to cultivate various kinds of crops and vegetables. They have been provided seed, fertilisers and other support as well. The objective is to assimilate the Pahari Korwas into the modern way of life.
Suren and his family are gradually learning to cultivate their lands and are adopting new ways of life. The children go to school and are learning new ways of life fast.
The Pahari Korwas inhabit several hilly regions of Chhattisgarh. With the active intervention of the government, they are gradually getting adjusted to a new way of life.
