With cultivators in Gujarat getting land titles, the problems of migration and poverty have been resolved to a large extent, writes SANJAY DAVE
Bhavsingh Rathwa owns a house in Kevdi village, Taluka Chhota Udaipur in Vadodra district of Gujarat. Yet, his nomadic way of life prevented him from living there, much to his grief. Jobless and insecure, Rathwa, family in tow, would wander around the neighbouring towns in search of livelihood — he would spend a day in Ahmedabad, the next in Nadiad, another in Anand — without knowing where the next day would take them. The family worked as daily-wage labourers, taking up any job that came their way.
But today, Rathwa is the proud owner of two acres of land, a mini-tempo, buffalos and a pucca house. The transition in his life came in 1997-1998 when Eklavya Sangathan, earlier known as the land Right Protection Committee, took on the responsibility to change the migration patterns of people like Rathwa. Serious issue of displacement and migration had gripped the entire State of Gujarat, and Eklavya Sangathan is trying to make some headway to resolve this matter. If one gets all the required opportunities at one's own place, why will he or she move outIJ One of the major reasons for migration was the lack of cultivable land and alternative income generating opportunities. The organisation committed itself to providing land titles to the cultivators. Various programmes were undertaken to make sure that the land cultivated by people before 1980 was rightfully owned by them.
The efforts of the organisation finally paid off, when the State Government passed a resolution allotting four hectares of land, approximately 10 acres, for those farmers who had been cultivating such land prior to 1980. This law changed the lives of many displaced and migrant labours like Rathwa. The biggest asset that Rathwa earned is self-confidence and a secure future for his family. like Rathwa, Chandriya, who grazed cattle, was also forced to move to Kutch, in search of work. He was also under the burden of a huge loan. Today, he owns over an acre of land, has 10 goats, cultivates pulses and corn, and does not borrow money. In Kevdi village itself, 71 of the 250 families, are proud owners of forest land. Savalabhai, Budhiyabhai, Sanabhai and Bachubhai have received one acre of land each. They have planted mangoes, chickoo, pear, mahuda, corn, pulses and brinjal, among other crops.
Doba Chapra, next to Kevdi village, has 19 people who have received benefits from this legislation. Mahatma Gandhi had said, “Until and unless the poorest of the poor doesn't get the benefit, it is not considered development in any form”. This saying was imbibed by Ekalavya which ensured that benefits reach the poorest. The struggle for forest land made people aware of their rights and taught them to raise their voice against injustice.
According to the new Forest Rights Act, those who cultivated land till December 16, 2005, are entitled to ownership of that land. The State Government has implemented this act in Vadodara where land titles have been given to 1,744 tribal farmers. The Act has been used to provide road connectivity to 30 villages for which acquisition of forest land was also required.
In the larger context, this is not just an issue of land but is directly linked to poverty. Once land titles are regularised, these tribal farmers will be able to truly make their contribution to the nation's economy. For them, food security will become more assured, nutrition of the entire family will improve and many of them will be able to come out of debt. Moreover, their love for forest and nature will help sustain the ecosystem, as they will use the resources wisely. These people belong to the land, and yes, the land too must rightfully belong to them.