The group of 14 women of Muchiasai village in Jharkhand is not as fortunate as were the Dongria Kondhs of Odisha in their continuous resistance against the all powerful stone crusher mafias. It has been a fight between mythical David and Goliath aimed to salvage at least their side of a hill. Sadly, the other half of the rise is nearly blown away thanks to extensive and mechanised stone queering activities, while the half 'Niyamgiri' of Muchiasai presents a fitting paradox which exists between the idea of development and growth!
The plateau of Muchiasai village forms the border between Raj Nagar block of Saraikela-Kharsawan district and Potka of East Sighbhum. With the “reprobated” permission of the competent authorities — the locals though cannot believe how it was given but know why it was given-influential stone mafia have pressed into work more than five heavy earth movers such as JCBs and other giants to brake the hill from the side of Potka.
“One can see half of the hill nearing its extinction. Now they have started digging even the hill base for the lust of the stone. Gigantic machines that can move 360 degree are at work. Numerous stone crushers have been set up and are functional all round. looking at the intensity of the work going on there must be some very powerful person behind the business," said Thakur Prasad, a local social activist working in the area.
Nevertheless, the self help group consisting of 14 illiterate tribal women of the village and nearby areas has come between the obvious lust to extend the queering activity and saving the bounty presented by the nature. "We have prevented them to cross over thus far. We have also approached the district administration for the help and they have assured us support if these people cross over or violate the permissible lease given," said Basanti, one the member of the group named as 'Sahyogi Mahila Sangathan.'
The ridge which has tuned virtually into a fulcrum presents glimpse of two sets of world, streams of thought, ways of human development and also that what the future course of action should be. "The saved trees on the Raj Nagar side prevent rain from flowing down wastefully. The women have dug not less than 370 trenches to store the rain water. At the base of the hill they have made a strong bund which seems like a small pond. The mechanism apart from allowing the rain water to percolate into soil also helps them to irrigate their fields and grow some seasonal vegetables through pipes," added Siddharth Tripathi, DFO (Publicity) in Ranchi who visited the place only last week.