WB govt to take up special plan for tribals

The Mamata Banerjee government Friday decided to take up a special intervention plan to address the critical gaps in the development of tribal communities like Savars, Birhores and Totos in West Bengal, officials said.

These tribal communities are "historically at the lowest stratum of the society", the state government said announcing the plan, which would be implemented in phases.

It would include construction of new dwelling houses under the Bangla Awas Yojana (BAY) norms for tribal families, repair and renovation of houses besides installation of safe drinking water sources in their habitations.

"The intervention plan would start with savars in Jhargram and Birhores and Totos in their respective areas during the 2018-19 fiscal," a senior official of the state government said.

As per the 2011 census, the savar population is about 40,000 with 18,000 residing in Jhargram, while there are about only 365 Birhores in the Ayodhya Hills of Purulia district and 1500 Totos in Madarihat-Birpara block of Alipurduar district.

The plans also include creating opportunity of increased livelihood through SHG-based activities like cattle rearing, backyard poultry and horticulture, he said.

"Land development, creating irrigation sources for boosting agriculture and horticulture activities, extending market linkages of their traditional handicraft products and providing skill training and design development would also be introduced," the official said.

The tribal development department has provided special fund of Rs 12.90 crore for the implementation of schemes under the special intervention programme.

It is expected to enhance the tribals' livelihood opportunities, arrest migration, improve social habits and encourage people from their communities to participate in the state's endeavour of inclusive growth and holistic development.