BJD tribal leaders from Mayurbjhanj and Keonjahr districts on Tuesday welcomed the announcement of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to implement a `12-crore project for conservation and development of the sacred “groves” , where tribals use to perform their religious rites.
Talking to reporters here, Mayurbhanj lok Sabha member and BJD district resident laxman Tudu, Keonjhar lok Sabha member Jaswant Narayan Singh laguri, Saraskana MlA Ramachandra Hansda and Udala MlA Srinanth Soren said the announcement has proved the BJD’s commitment towards tribals’ socioeconomic development.
They rejected the criticism that the announcement is a pre-election sop to attract the tribals into the BJD fold.
They said that in the changing times and industrialisation and farm activities, the sacred groves are being destroyed, and in some cases, hurting the sentiments of tribals. With the implementation of the project, the areas of the groves would be demarcated and trees of denuded species would be planted in the religious places as tribals treat trees as God.
The religious places would also be provided with drinking water facilities and other basic amenities, they said.
Former Ministers Pramila Mallick and Praveen Chandra Bhanj Deo and Biju Yuva Janata Dal general secretary Bijay Nayak were also present at the Press conference.