Waghmare fetches greenish water from a rock cavity for daily use

NAVI MUMBAI: Fifty-seven-year -old Katkari tribal from Patnoli hamlet in Pen Chandrakant Waghmare literally goes up a hill to fetch a pail of water daily as his family struggles to survive in this fast developing region of Raigad district, just over 90km from SoBo.
While govt funds running into thousands of crores of rupees are being pumped into infra works like a broader highway (NH-66), flyovers and the Alibaug-Virar corridor, the poorest of adivasis, the Katkaris, continue to struggle for basic necessities such as water and pathways to their hamlets. “Every 5 years, netas come and promise us regular water supply, but it never happens. So we don’t really know who to vote for. Sarkar is doing so much development, but when will our development happen?” Waghmare tells Vijay Singh.
As houses of adivasis are demolished, builders eyeing their land, says activist
Waghmare has to climb uphill to a dug-up rock cavity containing greenish water from this year’s monsoon, which he utilises for his everyday needs, and also for drinking.
The scepticism among the adivasis is not surprising, said Pen-based social activist of Ankur Trust group Vaishali Patil. “The number of tribals in Raigad dis trict is 11.8% of the total district population. Katkaris are the poorest of tribal sects, and are officially recognised as ‘vulnerable’. In Pen taluka, there are around 180 hamlets, where adivasis struggle for their basic needs like food, water and roads. So, they are not really excited about the poll fever being drummed up,”’ Patil said.
Earlier this year, Ankur Trust had moved court alleging human rights violations after 16 adivasi houses were demolished by bulldozers, and the tribals evicted from Mhatroli near Alibaug. “Suddenly, real estate prices in Pen, Alibaug and other parts of Raigad have shot up. Hence, builders are eyeing the land of the poor and vulnerable adivasis, as happened at Mhatroli hamlet near Alibaug,” Patil said.
Sanjay Naik, a Katkari tribal from Malwadi hamlet, said, “We will vote for whoever sincerely helps us get access to basic amenities.”