Guj govt to accept demands of tribal villages in Narmada

Gujarat government has decided to concede the demands of 70 tribal-dominated villages of Narmada district located near Sardar Sarovar dam, including creation of a new taluka.
State forest and environment minister and Narmada district incharge Ganpatbhai Vasava told PTI today that the state government has decided to accept the demands of the villagers.
The demands include creation of Garudeshwar taluka, removal of 70 villages from the list of Kevadiya Area Development Authority (KADA), special package for projected affected people six villages (near original dam site in Narmada district) and giving of water from Sardar Sarovar dam and a reservoir across Karjan river to the villages.

"After creation of new taluka of Garudeshwar, KADA will be automatically removed," Vasava said.
On October 16, the state government had initiated talks with tribal representatives of 70 villages in Narmada district after they had opposed land acquisition for a tourism project near the Sardar Sarovar dam at Kevadiya.
About 145 tribal representatives had held talks with the concerned ministers.
They had demanded removal of 70 villages from the list of KADA, extension of rehabilitation benefits given to project affected people of Sardar Sarovar dam across Narmada river and irrigation benefits of Sardar Sarovar dam and Karjan river dam to the 70 villages.