Bargarh: Lambiapli Forest Village from Debrigarh Sanctuary Relocated

Bargarh: Lambipali is a forest village situated inside Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary. In the year 1908 ,village Lambipali was established to provide labourers for departmental working and also few laborer’s migrated to the village from outside in search of shelter. The residence of Lambipali village were leaving in extreme conditions without road connectivity, no drinking water, no facilities for health and hygiene as they are placed far from other human settlements. Due to high density of wildlife population at Debrigarh i.e like Samber,Deer,Wildboar, Bison, etc the villagers were unable to do cultivation of paddy or other crop in fear of depredation and financial loss. Young men normally move out in search of permanent or seasonal employment.

In the month of August 2021, Hirakud Wildlife Division conducted series of community mobilization for intimating the villagers about the Stage Govt. policy on village relocation in which every eligible families is entitled to get 15.00 Lakh compensation, 10.00 decimal of Patta Land, Pucca Ghar beside road, electricity, water facilities, and other basic amenities of life by different convergence programme going on in District. On 25th of August,2021, all the residents of Lambipali expressed their willingness in Gramsabha for relocation to outside Sanctuary where they can availed basis facilities of life.

During the month of September,2021 the District Level Committee of Bargarh District completed the family survey of Lambipali and 42 numbers of families with about 80 population were found eligible for relocation and for getting the benefits of the relocation package. The villagers under supervision of forest department and District Administration completed the relocation colony within one month period and the entire village shifted to the colony on 17th December,2021.

Facilities in Relocation Colony: Each individual family have shifted to independent rooms in the colony. The relocation colony has been constructed by Hirakud Wildlife Division where the villages of Lambipali have worked as mason and labourers. Community toilets have been constructed for entire village with a separate bathing ghat for women. Water facilities has been created and every household has been given water filter. Proper drainage has been ensured.

Special addition to the relocation colony : for the first time at Debrigarh- The relocation colony has been given electricity connection so that they can use mobiles/ Television sets etc which they have never used earlier as their village inside Sanctuary was not having electricity connection.

The relocation colony is semipermanent structure with bricks and cements. Every house in the colony has been given personalized name plates. A permanent community hall construction is under progress which will have library facilities for children and women.

After leaving their village, the villagers of Lambipali in their new relocation colony organized a “Parichaya Parba” and “BandhuMilan Utsav” on dt.17th December,2021 and invited the 2-neighboring villager of village Tangerpali and Kantal.

Way ahead – For successful completion of relocation a District Level Committee is functioning at Bargarh District Collector and DFO, Hirakud Wildlife Division as Member Convenor for relocation of villages from Debrigarh. All officials of line departments in District are members of the Committee and all are working together to provide all required facilities to the relocated families. While staying in the present relocation colony the villagers themselves will construct their own Pucca Ghars already allocated to them by Government on their Patta Lands of 10 decimals. Every household will be provided with road, electiciity , dringking water, drainage etc. The children will attain the Anganwadi and school at Kantal. Earlier they were devoid off this facilities. Formation of women SHG’ is under progress. Every families of Lambipali decided to restore 14.00 Lakh amount as fixed deposit in their name from which they will get more than Rs.6000/- per month as interest amount which is adequate for their family maintenance. Beside this within a year with the help of District Administration they will complete construction of their permanent village colony with all facilities.

Abstract- Number of families relocated- 42 numbers of families (Unmarried women and widow-05 numbers, One male handicap). More than 32 women are in the total population of the village and around 15 to 20 children.
Compensation amount- @Rs.15.00 Lakh per family.

Village relocation is a win- win situation for both Wildlife and the people.

Other Relocations in Bargarh District from Debrigarh: 3 habitations inside Sanctuary i.e Kurumkel,Rengali & Bhutli are under the process of Relocation which are situated deep inside the Sanctuary and deprived of all basic facilities. The Temporary colony work is under process and all villagers have joined hands to complete work within a month and are ready to shift. Around 60 children are in these 3 habitations. No one has own patta land, all staying in bad health conditions hence in tearing hurry to come out from wildlife sanctuary for a better life outside.

Debrigarh Sanctuary in Bargarh District adjoining Hirakud Reservoir is the only Sanctuary where wildlife sighting is very high and density of Schedule 1 Species is also high. Hirakud is the lifeline of the Sanctuary and hundreds of animals and birds are seen near reservoir during summers & Winters. Debrigarh is also a heaven for migratory birds every winter.