THOLKOBAD (SOUTH BIHAR): Singhbhum a tribal district of Bihar bordering West Bengal and Orissa is part of the Chhotanagpur plateau and a continuation of the tribal region in central India that stretches from Thana-Nasik in Maharashtra in the west to Bankura Midnapur in West Bengal in the past. The district is one of the most backward in Bihar though the area is known for its abundant mineral wealth.
For years now thousands of tribals forced to cut down their dependence on the jungles have been eking out an existence in the scores a ore mines that dot Singhbhum. With most of the mines now opting for machines and with no rights over forest produce the tribals are forced to eat leaves and grass.
Mangra Nag a landless tribal is still alive. He has had for months. His six-month-old son Soma died last June unable digest bankanda (roots of a tree) and grasses the only food available
Eleven others have died like Soma. Sengreya Jatarma Munda (45) Mangari Nag (32). Soniwari Purti (33) son of Bagun Munda (8 months) Mohan Munda (12) and Roya Honhaga (50) starved to death in Tholkobad forest village between June and August. Most of them had tree leaf and forest grass to cat. When their digestive system refused to accept grass they developed an aversion to eating and starved to death “Most of them vomited whatever they ate” said an elderly tribal of the village.
Twenty others including children and women are awaiting death in this obscure village in the midst of Saranda forest known for its iron ore deposits and sal trees Tholkabad is situated 26 km away in Kiribury the captive iron ore mine of Steel Authority of India Ltd. Most of the inhabitants of this forest village used to work in Kiriburu and Megahataburi iron ore mines. But with mines opting for mechanized the tribals today have no other means of livelihood.
Apart from Tholkobad Karam pada Tirilposi Kudlibaand Pongi villages are also affected by malnutrition and starvation. “We have not had rice or roti for the past three months says Ramrai Bodra. “We are eating kukui anotong bindung and koiner leaves” says Gumda Munda. They collect the leaves from the jungle and eat it after boiling. Their main complaint is directed against the forest department which had earlier promised them with at least 100 mandays work during the monsoon
“Neither do they give us work nor do they allow us to collect forest produce and firewood to earn our bread” laments Gumida Honnaga. Kamral’s system has refused to digest leaf and grass. Every time he is given something to eat he starts vomiting. I am ready to sell myself if someone guarantees rice to my son. I have not done anything wrong so the Burubonga (jungle-god) cannot snatch away my son.” There have been over 30 starvation deaths in these villages.
Before the monsoon many of the younger people were working as daily wage-earners either in Govt sponsored projects or iron-ore mines. After the monsoon broke paucity of work has led them to travel as far as 26 kms to Kiriburu or Bhalutata in Orissa in search of work. It is a two-day journey. If they get one or two days’ work they stay otherwise they walk back home.
Administratively Saranda forest range is reserved forest. All the villagers situated in this range are termed forest villages. As per the law the land in and around a forest village belongs to the government and no inhabitant can till the land In 1986 the then Governor of Bihar had come to Saranda forest for sightseeing and had assured the villagers that they will be given some land to survive on. But nothing happened.
“Governor Saheb wanted to see some wild animal. I wish I were a
Article extracted from this publication >> September 13, 1991
