By Faseela Vazhapra, Additional Programme Coordinator, Governance, Community Wellbeing
In Nilambur, Keystone conducted a community forest rights (CFR) claims submission Urukoottam at Narangapoyil Village, a Paniya community in Pothukallu Panchayat. This programme was inaugurated by Nilambur Block Panchayath president Miss. Pushpavalli teacher, with the application submitted to the Malappuram Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC) Chairperson Mis. Apurva Tripathi IAS (Sub-collector in Malappuram District). This programme was coordinated by Keystone, Pothukallu Panchayath and the Thoduve Community foundation.
The Paniya people of Narangapoyil village were shifted from Tamburati Poti, a village in the forest, about 20 years ago. These displaced people currently have no land. They used to live by farming and gathering forest resources. As their land disappeared, they were unable to continue farming. Many people farm on lease.
The people in the village of Narangapoyil who have the right to inherit land, with the help of the panchayat formed a Urukuttum, learned about the Forest Rights Act with the help of Keystone, strengthened the forest rights Urukuttum, and worked and intervened for the claimed land. As the last step of this, the application was submitted before the SDLC committee, who will now verify the claims. Keystone provided all the necessary training, technical assistance and financial assistance to the Thampurattipotti Paniya Gothra Vanavakaasha Urukootta Samithi. We staff see this as a benefit of Keystone’s work on the ground.
