Red-hit areas now have greenery and solar dual pumps

PATNA: Life of over 15,000 tribals in the hilly areas of Rohtas district is changing fast with a host of development schemes launched by the district administration.
What was once considered a Red zone with extremists calling the shots, has now got a green field with about 12,000 ‘shahjan' (drumstick) trees, solar dual pumps and cattle tuffs mainly in two panchayats— Rohtas Garh and Pipardih.
Today, teams of doctors, irrigation and forest experts and administrative officials frequent the mountains and even stay in the night with the villagers for discussing development plans.
Last week, a group of officers led by district magistrate (DM) Pankaj Dixit, experts from medical, irrigation, forest, agriculture field and nutritionists spent their night at Budhwa mountain interacting with tribals and chalking out further strategies. Till date, about 15 check dams have been constructed and many solar lights have been installed in tribal villages.
The DM said, “Saplings of about 12,000 drumstick planted last year have now grown adding a green patch to the hills. What surprised more the officers was a large number of educated tribal girls forming Jeevika groups to increase their family income. Plantation of more variety of trees to enrich the flora and supporting agriculture were also proposed.”
The check dams of 350 x 200 meters in hilly areas with scarcity of ground water not only help to revive the forests, even villagers also use its water for irrigation and quenching the thirst of cattle. In addition, some check dams were also constructed on seasonal rivers flooded with rain waters.
“About 40 solar dual pumps have been installed and cattle tuff have been constructed at Urao and Kharwar tola, which were once considered Maoist-hit villages. Most of the development works were being executed through MANREGA scheme involving the tribals,” the DM said.
A team of doctors also regularly visit the tribal villages to check their health and suggest medicines, said the official.