Pithoragarh: Residents of a tribal village right here ran to a close-by forest when a staff of district well being staff got here to their doorsteps not too long ago to check them for Covid-19.
Kuta Chaurani village is inhabited by Banrawats – an endangered tribe.
The shy tribals fled to the adjoining forest on getting details about the arrival of a Covid testing staff of their village on Friday, Didihat SDM KN Goswami mentioned on Sunday.
“Whereas we may take a look at residents of Aultari and Jamtari villages, these residing in Kuta Chaurani fled to the forest, the SDM mentioned.
The Banrawat neighborhood was declared a primitive tribe on the verge of extinction by the Authorities of India in 1967.
“Over 500 members of this extremely endangered tribe live in eight localities of Didihat sub division. We had despatched our corona testing staff to Aultari, Jamtari and Kuta Chaurani villages to check them. A complete of 191 members of the neighborhood from Aultari and Jamtari got here ahead to bear the take a look at however residents of Kuta Chaurani fled to the forests to keep away from exams,” Goswami mentioned.
“The villagers had been afraid that the swab strip taken for the take a look at would infect them,” the SDM mentioned.
Jagat Singhingh Rajwar, an aged member of the neighborhood from Kuta Chaurani village, mentioned the swab tester may trigger additional an infection to them.
“We’re able to go for a well being examine, take medicines however don’t comply with let the strip enter our physique, ” Rajwar mentioned.
Based on the SDM, his staff has persuaded some literate members of the neighborhood to create consciousness among the many locals in regards to the necessity of the exams.
“We are going to make one other try to check them in two-three days,” Goswami mentioned.
Sanju Pant, coordinator of Didihat youth society, mentioned corona kits have been distributed amongst some members of the neighborhood after taking them into confidence.
The administration has additionally been knowledgeable in regards to the poor situations through which the members of the endangered tribal neighborhood are compelled to dwell with no work for them as a result of coronavirus lockdown, Pant mentioned.
“We’ve requested the administration to distribute shopper items apart from meals materials to the neighborhood members,” he mentioned.
The SDM mentioned packets of spices, edible oil and different important gadgets apart from meals packets have been distributed amongst them free of charge.
Based on Didihat youth society sources, the neighborhood is dealing with dire scarcity of important items as there isn’t any incomes for them as a result of lockdown.
“If their plight will not be addressed, they may face starvation and dying,” Pant mentioned.
SDM Didihat mentioned he has written to the block growth officer of Didihat and the district growth officer of Pithoragarh to provide members of the neighborhood work beneath the MGNREGA.
“We won’t let the neighborhood face starvation. We keep a vigil on them via our income officers lest they need to face any scarcity of meals,” he mentioned.
Source link