Tribal hamlets in MM Hills get vehicle service 75 years after Independence

Mysuru: Chamarajanagar district administration and forest department are jointly launching multi-purpose vehicle services to help the communities living in thick forests of M M Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
The forest department and district administration have purchased four jeeps at a cost of Rs 15 lakh each, which will provide pick up and drop services along four different routes identified by them in the sanctuary. It will operate services along Padasalanatha- Palar-MM Hills, Tolaskere- Indiganatta- Nagamale, M M Hills-Kokkabere-Tokere- Doddane- Martalli route and Pacchedoddi- Kanchali-Ajjipura.
The forest department will operate the vehicles everyday — from morning till evening — and collect nominal charges from the residents for its maintenance.
Tribals and villagers living in forested areas and villages along forest fringes had been demanding the successive governments to ensure transport facilities to their settlement as most of them are located in deep jungles spread over the hilly terrain. As it was slain brigand Veerappan’s den and eco-sensitive zone, the services were denied.
However, the forest department and district administration have finally decided to ensure transport facility to several villages along the forest fringes and tribal hamlets where there is no proper bus connectivity.
The services will be a boon for Soliga, Bedagampana tribes and other communities living in the thick forests, particularly pregnant women, senior citizens and patients. The launch of these services will also help students with better connectivity to educational institutions.
Speaking to TOI, deputy conservator of forests V Edukondalu said that the department has purchased four vehicles for the purpose at a total cost of 60 lakh. “MM Hills sanctuary is the first in the state to ensure vehicle services to its tribal hamlets where there is lack of transportation facility,” he claimed.
Both the district administration and forest department have operated these multi-purpose vehicles in these routes to help the people under Jana Vana Sethuve Scheme.
The vehicles are expected to arrive from Mysuru in one or two days and the services will be launched officially once they reach MM Hills.
“The launch of these services will help the people in living in tribal hamlets of the sanctuary. This will put an end to the long walks to buy provisions or to reach hospital during medical emergencies. There have been a lot of instances of pregnant women giving birth inside the forest before reaching the hospital,” Chamarajanagar Soliga Tribal Welfare Association vice president Mahadeva told TOI.