In a significant move towards addressing the long-standing issues of mountain communities near Udumalai, former DMK MLA Jayaramakrishnan has funded the construction of a ration shop worth Rs. 4 lakhs, bringing essential commodities closer to the residents.
Coimbatore: Former DMK MLA Jayaramakrishnan has taken a commendable step by funding the construction of a new ration shop worth Rs. 4 lakhs in a mountain village near Udumalai, bringing much-needed relief to the local hill-dwelling communities. This initiative comes as a response to the struggles faced by the residents for basic amenities due to their remote locations within the Anaimalai Tiger Reserve, between Udumalai and Amaravathi forest divisions.
The region, home to about 6,000 residents across 18 hill villages including Kuzhipatti, Kurumalai, Kodanthur, and Thalinchi, has been in a long battle for basic facilities. Despite being nestled in a rich biodiversity area, the communities have been largely neglected, with no significant developments from the forest department, even after numerous protests and demands for the implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006 to secure basic rights and amenities.
The challenges faced by these communities, especially in accessing ration commodities, were severe. Traveling approximately 14 kilometers through dense forest areas, risking wildlife encounters to procure essential goods from urban centers, has been a perilous journey for many. Recognizing the dire needs of these villages, Jayaramakrishnan's initiative to build the ration shop within the community has been warmly welcomed, eliminating the need for risky travels and bringing basic necessities within easy reach.
The gratitude of the hill communities towards Jayaramakrishnan for his contribution is profound. With the Tamil Nadu government progressively fulfilling basic needs like housing documents and road facilities, the expectation is for a swift action to address the remaining amenities required by the hill residents. This gesture not only addresses their long-standing demand but also highlights the need for further government intervention to improve the living conditions of these isolated communities.
The region, home to about 6,000 residents across 18 hill villages including Kuzhipatti, Kurumalai, Kodanthur, and Thalinchi, has been in a long battle for basic facilities. Despite being nestled in a rich biodiversity area, the communities have been largely neglected, with no significant developments from the forest department, even after numerous protests and demands for the implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006 to secure basic rights and amenities.
The challenges faced by these communities, especially in accessing ration commodities, were severe. Traveling approximately 14 kilometers through dense forest areas, risking wildlife encounters to procure essential goods from urban centers, has been a perilous journey for many. Recognizing the dire needs of these villages, Jayaramakrishnan's initiative to build the ration shop within the community has been warmly welcomed, eliminating the need for risky travels and bringing basic necessities within easy reach.
The gratitude of the hill communities towards Jayaramakrishnan for his contribution is profound. With the Tamil Nadu government progressively fulfilling basic needs like housing documents and road facilities, the expectation is for a swift action to address the remaining amenities required by the hill residents. This gesture not only addresses their long-standing demand but also highlights the need for further government intervention to improve the living conditions of these isolated communities.