Palakkad: Elderly couple Balan and Vasanthamani is yet to come to terms that they would soon lose their farm and their house. Forest dwellers Balan and Vasanthamani have been living in Palakkad's Attapadi village and cultivating crops for ages.
But now, after surveying and reassessing the borders, a forest boundary stone has been installed and the couple will be compelled to leave. With boundary stone coming in place, about 80 per cent of 4 acres of their land will be converted to forestland, leaving them with no other option. The land falls under Kottathara village jurisdiction.
What is even more disheartening that the couple has been paying tax, living here and cultivating for many years and leaving this place means giving up everything that they have. The couple will be compelled to return to the forests, leaving behind everything, be it their house or their farmland.
Owing to constant trouble from the wild elephants and the shortage of water, the couple did not cultivate the land this year. As the wild weeds have grown high in their land, the forest border stone has been erected by the officials in the farmland near their house.
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Balan and Vasanthamani registered complaints and petitions with Palakkad District Collector, Mannarkad DFO and Agaly ITDP Project Officer but all in vain.
The couple, having lost all hopes, says that their house is on the verge of collapse. However, they have sought the government's help to allot some land so that they can again do farming and earn their livelihood.
However, Sholayur Forest Range Officer said that the action has been taken in order to reclaim the forest land from private parties.
"The position of the forest boundary stones has been reassessed and may be changed as per the new records," he added.
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