Mahasamund
People of Banswar caste, traditionally dependent on bamboo of Mahasamund district, have not been able to get bamboo for the last 10 years, which has stalled their employment. Today, the crisis of maintenance has arisen in front of these families who live by making soup, basket, crate and other fancy items.
According to the rules of the government, Banswar families who have bamboo cards should be provided 1500 bamboo every year at a cheap rate by the Forest Department. But the villagers allege that they are neither getting bamboo nor compensation. In compulsion, these people are now forced to do daily wages.
Villagers are traveling around Forest Department and Collector Office
About 30 families live in village Khaira located near Mahasamund district headquarters. They say that they have been traveling around the Forest Department Office and Collector Office for the last 10 years, but no solution is being found. Whenever the bamboo comes to the depot, it is so thin that it is of no use.
The victims heard the incident
Bansat Kumar Kandra, a troubled Banswar said that “We have skills, but not raw materials. We have been upset for ten years. No hearing is being held.”
Nandini Kandra told that “Even the women group is not able to work, the children are hungry. Our whole life has stopped due to not getting bamboo.”
Bamboo not available: Forest Department
Mahasamund DFO Venkatesh M.G. Said that “Bamboo availability is not currently in the district. We have informed the higher officials. Efforts are being made to get bamboo from nearby districts like Raipur and Dhamtari.”
This problem of people of Banswar caste is not only economic, but also related to the conservation of traditional handicrafts. The government and the forest department will have to take practical steps towards providing bamboo by taking quick cognizance of this, so that the livelihood of these families can be safe.
