Belagalu hamlet in Shivamogga district has no fundamental facilities, together with ingesting water provide, roads and faculty.
| Picture Credit score: SATHISH G.T.
If mother and father on this Karnataka village need to ship their kids to an Anganwadi centre, they should stroll at the least 4 kilometres by means of the forests. Kids in major college stroll the gap daily to achieve their college within the neighbouring village, which is a part of the neighbouring district.
That is the plight of individuals residing at Belagalu village situated on the borders of Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts. The village, with a inhabitants of 70 individuals on the backwaters of the Tunga Dam (Gajanur), is a part of Shivamogga taluk, whereas the college during which the kids have been admitted is situated at Korala Koppa village in N.R. Pura taluk of Chikkamagaluru district.
“I used to be born right here and hardly went out of the village all these years. Life has by and enormous, remained the identical since my childhood,” mentioned Kundramma, a senior citizen of the village, most likely in her 70s.
The residents of Belagalu belong to Adi Karnataka group, a Scheduled Caste, and none of them owns a chunk of land.
| Picture Credit score:
SATHISH G.T.
The residents belong to Adi Karnataka group, a Scheduled Caste, and none of them owns a chunk of land. Every household is cultivating about 20–30 guntas of land with no information of their title. They’ve utilized to the federal government for the grant of the identical land.
Each women and men earn their livelihood by working in agricultural fields. “Males get ₹500 a day, whereas ladies get ₹300. Apart from the aged and toddlers, everyone goes to work,” mentioned Puttaswamy, who dropped out of college after Class 9.
Solely graduate
Shwetha, who accomplished her B.Sc. final 12 months, is the one particular person from the village to get a level. A few college students have joined diploma programs as effectively. However to date, no person within the village has landed a job that earns a daily earnings.
Not one of the homes get ingesting water. They fetch water from the Tunga Dam backwaters. “Throughout summers, the water appears clear. When it begins raining, it turns muddy. However we have now no various supply,” mentioned Bhogesh. Apart from eight households, all different homes within the village are and not using a bathroom.
No public transport
Not one of the homes get ingesting water. Apart from eight households, all different homes are and not using a bathroom.
| Picture Credit score:
SATHISH G.T.
The villagers don’t take pleasure in public transportation services too. “We’re depending on autorickshaws to hold heavy baggage. The truthful worth store is situated at Umblebailu, about 13 kilometres away. We supply the baggage midway by bus, and from Korala Koppa village, we rent auto rickshaws which cost ₹100,” mentioned Basavaraju, 67. Typically, they pay greater than the price of foodgrains for the autorickshaw trip.
Although the village was supplied with energy provide about eight years in the past, many thatched huts proceed to perform with out an electrical energy connection. “For many years, we had no energy provide. We don’t understand how lengthy we must always wrestle to get ingesting water services, websites for homes and land in our title, apart from the transport facility,” Puttamma lamented.
Amidst wild animals
They stay on a income land surrounded by the forest. Nevertheless, they don’t seem to be afraid of untamed animals. “The animals won’t damage us. We frequently spot elephants and all types of animals. We’re proud of the place we stay in. However we’re afraid of Forest Division officers, who all the time suspect our position when one thing occurs within the forests,” mentioned Basavaraj.
Following repeated calls for from the residents, the Umblebailu Gram Panchayat officers have performed a survey of the wants of the village. Okay.Okay. Aravind, a member of the panchayat, who represents Kakanahosudi ward, mentioned the GP had performed a survey and listed the necessities. “We’re making efforts to supply the residents with all the fundamental services,” he mentioned.
