To reclaim their right to medical centres, educational facilities and basic amenities on the mainland, the tribal community of a small pada in Yeoor broke down the wall restricting their entry to the mainland. The wall, constructed by a local builder, had blocked the tribals’ 100-year-long pathway, forcing them to take inaccessible forest routes.
The pada, with help from local NGOs, had earlier approached the district collector’s office to protest against the builder and his construction activities that had affected their traditional access to the mainland. Alongside, environmentalists working with the tribals including Yeoor Environmental Society, Supervasi Sanghatana and Shramajeevi Sanghatana claimed that constant construction activities in the vicinity were causing grave environmental degradation.
Rohit Joshi from Yeoor Environmental Society said, “The previous wall was felled by the district collector six months ago after Patone Pada and Jambhul Pada residents filed a complaint against one Suresh Gada with the then collector, Dr Ashwini Joshi. She visited the spot and ordered that their pathways be cleared immediately. Since then, the builder was forced to keep the gates open and allow local residents free passage.”
Earlier this week, another developer, Ganesh Thakur, once again built a wall that blocked another part of the pathway and employed private security personnel to fend off locals from passing on the land. Ultimately, Jambhulpada residents fearlessly went ahead and broke the stone wall blocking their way.
“Most of the tribals, mainly women and children, quickly and skillfully arranged the stones of the wall along pathway clearly marking it. The tribals carefully replanted the tree that was artificially planted a day earlier to block their pathway in a nearby place and also informed the collector’s office about this action along with written complaints to the Thane municipal commissioner and commissioner of police, Thane,” said Mr Joshi.
Amit Bhosale, deputy district collector of Thane, said, “The land is disputed. We will visit the spot tomorrow and speak with involved parties to resolve the issue amicably.”
