ADIVASI TEAM - EKTA PARISHAD, TAMILNADU

Field visit report to the Living areas of Adivassi or Eco regions

Background:

Adivasi team of EKTA PARISHAD - TN was formed at CESCI, CESCI, Mayagramam Madurai
On 22nd May 2010 for mobilizing adivasis around Tamilnadu to support Janasatyagraha 2012
organized by EKTA – Parisad, India. Adivasi team consisting of Mr. P.R.Raja, G.Nagalingam,
S.Dhanaraj, S.Jegadesan, T.Marirajan and Ms. Pappathi (Women Leader from Paliyan Tribes).
Mr.Raja acting as convener at present. So far the team meets two times during last year.

Adivasi team took part the Joint meeting of EKTA Parishad Tamilnadu & Kerala for mobilizing
people from South India to JS 2012on 17th & 18th Auguest 2010 at CESCI. During the, adivasi
team agreed to mobilize 1000 to participate JS 2010. The following mechanism is also developed
for mobilization process.

The objectives of Adivasi team of EKTA PARISHAD - TN:

¾ To mobilize Adivasi community into a movement for protection of their rights in the
present complex socio-Political condition.
¾ Wider campaigning of Forest Rights Act 2006 in all forest adivasi areas to reduce the
information gaps.
¾ Empowering gramsabhas to take decisions on their community development processes
and understanding the Forest Rights Act 2006, the roles and responsibilities of
gramsabhas;
¾ To empower the Adivasis on their rights to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage and
community forest resource, which they have been traditionally protecting and conserving
for sustainable use.

Organising and capacitating adivasis across the state to protest against on-going exploitation and
displacement due to so called industrialization through the active participation of Janasatygraha
2012 jointly with other EKTA Parisad Units in all over India;

Mobilization of Satyagrahi’s and capacity building activities:

Based on the central committee decision, the following people’s mobilization process pattern
was accepted by TN and Kerala chapters.

Group Leader - 2 (Mr.Dhanaraj and Mr.Raja elected as group leaders. Both of them were taking
responsibility of mobilizing 500 Satyaghi’s each)

Section Leader – 20 (Section leaders were selected from adivasi community and tribal activist)

Village Leader – 100 (Village leaders will be selected from adivasi community based on their
living areas)

Satyagrahi’s – 1000 (Satyagrahi’s will be selected from 18 eco regions)

After the joint of both TN & Kerala, the adivasi team meets Mr.Biju, Coordinator – EB South
India and Camp leader of JS 2012 to discuse about the field level actions. Based on the
discussion the following field based action plan was developed.
• Identify and to establish contacts to eco region
• Direct field visits to eco region and to assess the potential of the contacts
• Indigenous forum formation and its meetings (Tamilnadu Forest Rights Movement -
TNFRM) with section leaders
• Joint meeting of section leaders and village leaders
• Participation of Leaders conference and Rally on 6,7,8 of March 2011
• Participation of JS 2012 and to organize local action in support of JS2011 in adivasi areas
and district capitals

ACTION TAKEN SO FAR:

1. IDENTIFY AND TO ESTABLISH CONTACTS TO ECO REGION

Adivasi habitat in dense forest and hill areas, which are the main source for economy and
livelihood of the tribals. In earlier times they used to fully depend on the forest. There they
collect various types of roots, tubers, leaves, flowers and wood in several seasons of the year.
Present day it is very difficult for adivasis to live inside the forest because of the forest policies
which alienate the adivasis from their ancestor lands. The prime demand of adivasis struggle is to
ensure the tredional and customary rights should recognize legally. We also believe that, forest
should govern and managed by adivasi community is historically accepted one. It should be
strengthened practically. Adivasis Team of EB develops eco region based approach for its
intervention which recognizes the role of adivasis to sustain the forest and its species.

Eco regions in Western Ghats:

1. Pachiparai 2. Manimutharu, Kalakkadu, Mundanthurai 3. Sathurakiri, Sirumalai 4.
Kuthiraimalai 5. Varusanadu 6. Bodi – Agamalai 7. Uppar and Lower Palani Hills 8. Valparai,
Top Slip 9. Thirumoorthimalai, Amaravathi, Thalinchi 10. Sathiyamangalam 11. Thalavadi,
Yanaikatti 12. Ooty, Kothakiri, Gudaloor,
Eco Regions in Eastern ghats
13. Kollimalai 14. Kalrayan hills 15. Pachamalai 16. Javathu Hills 17. Erkadu 18. Ellakiri hills

Based on our existing contact and referrals of other friends, the following list of contact was
developed.

S.No Name & Address of the Mobile No Responsibility Name of the

participants in JS 2012 Eco region
1 S.Susikala, Kuthiyaru, Kuthiyaru 99949 85075 Section Leader Pachiparai hills
(Po), Kalkulam Tk, (PP)
Kanyakumari
2 Eminaal Denial, Thalaiyanai, 73733 61556 Section Leader Senkottai hills
Vasudhevanallur, Sivigiri (Tk),
Tirunelveli dt
3 Thasan Chellaiah, Shezhimppu 9600322081 Village Leader Chengkottai
 Thoppu, Puliyankudi Taluk, Hills
Trinelveli Dist.
4 Ganesha Moorthy, Kaniyar Section Leader Chengkottai
Kudiyiruppu, Kallidai Kurichi, Hills
Ambhasamuthram, Tirunelveli
Dist
5 Sekar, Thalaiyanai, Village Leader Chengkottai
Vasudhevanallur, Sivigiri taluk, Hills
Tirunelveli Dist
6 Muthaiah, Shenbhaga Thoppu, 93444 21660 Section Leader Sathurakiri hills
Srivilliputhur, Virudhu Nager
Dist.
7 Murugan, Iyyanar Koil, 9976 311585 Village Leader Sathurakiri hills
Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhu
Nager Dist.
8 Paul Thai, Athi Koil, Village Leader Sathurakiri hills
Vathirayirruppu Union, Virudhu
Nager Dist
9 Thangaraj, Azhagammal Puram, 9159 989572 Section Leader Kuthirai Malai
Periyampatti (Po), Periyuer (Tk),
Madurai dt.
10. Dhevendran, Kurinchi Nager, 9245719916 Village Leader Kuthirai Malai
Thottappanayakanur Panchayat,
UsilamPatti Taluk, Madurai Dist.
11. Mrs. Patchiyammal, 8098861915 Village Leader Varushanadu
thozhukkadu, Kadamalai Kundu, hills
Meyaldumparai Union,
Aundipatti (Tk), Theni Dist.
12. Murugan, Nochiyodai, 9443691856 Village Leader Varushanadu
Vellimalai, Varusha nadu, Theni hills
dist,
13. Ms. Rani, Paliyankudi, Lowyer Village Leader Cordamam hills
Camp, Gudaloor, Uthamapalayam
(Tk), Theni dt
14. Mr. Ravi Chandran, 9626 985464 Section Leader Varushanadu
Erasakkanayakkanur, hills
Chinnamanoor Union, Uthama
Palayam Taluk, Theni dt
15. Ms. Dhana Lakshmi, Ulakku 7639236392 Section Leader Bodi &
Orrutti, Bodi Taluk, Theni Dist. Agamalai
16. Ayyappan, Arunkulam, Ulakku 9245794135 Village Leader Bodi &
Orrutti, Bodi Taluk, Theni Dist. Agamalai
17. Mr. Mokkan, Soolaiypr, 9943024174 Village Leader Bodi &
Anaikkarai patti Panchayat, Bodi Agamalai
Taluk, Theni Dist
18. Ms. Mallika, Chinnur, Agamallai 9976009281 Section Leader Bodi &
 Panchayat, Peryikulam Taluk, Agamalai
Theni Dist.
19. N. Suberamani, S/o, Nagaiya, 9698075467 Village Leader Bodi &
Munthal Colony, Bodi (Tk), Agamalai
Theni dt.
20. Palanichamy, Sellankalam, 9095253569 Village Leader Bodi &
Periyakulam (Tk), Theni dt Agamalai
21. Karuppasamy, S/o. Murugan, 9283910479 Village Leader Bodi &
Gurankani (Po), Kottakudi (H), Agamalai
village, Bodinayaikkanur via, 9865855679
Theni dt.
22. Papathi, Sokkanalai, Agamalai 9965867211 Section Leader Bodi &
Panchyate, Bodi (Tk), Theni dt. Agamalai
23. Mariyappan, Karumparai, 9965882982 Village Leader Bodi &
Agamalai Panchyate, Bodi (Tk), Agamalai
Theni dt.
24. Chookan, Rasimalai colony, 94882242204 Village Leader Lower palani
Thevathanapatti, Theni dt. hills
25. A.Sankili, Kuravankuzhi, 9965207145 Section Leader Bodi &
Agamalai Panchyate, Theni dt. Agamalai
26. R.Ramesh, Chinnor colony, 9843794137 Village Leader Bodi &
Vellakavi Panchyate, Dindugal Agamalai
dt
27. P.Sankar, Chinnur colony, 9524342181 Village Leader Bodi &
Vellakavi Panchyate, Dindugal Agamalai
dt
28. Subbramaniyan, S/o Sanjeevi, Section Leader Sirumalai hills
Veazham Pannai, Sirumalai
Panchayat, Dindigul Dist
29. Selvam, Agasthiyar Puram, 97518 46758 Village Leader Sirumalai hills
Sirumalai Puthur, Dindigul Dist.
30. Sankar, Vadakarai Parai, Section Leader Lower Palani
kodaikkanal, Dindigul Dist hills
31 Mrs.Nagarani, Kadaisi Kaadu, 965951 2733 Village Leader Lower Palani
Kodaikkanal, Dindigul Dist, hills
32 Aarasakumar, Paliyar Section Leader Uppar Palani
Kudiruppu, Thirumoorthi dam, hills
Udumalaipet (Tk), Thiruppur dt
33 V. Thulasimani, W/o Velusami,
2/4, Z.Muthur, Z.Muthur , 9626 985464 Section Leader Anaimalai hills
Pollachi (Tk), Covai dt
34 Vijayarengan, Sethappatti,
Malaikudipatti , Viralimalai 934546 6773 Section Leader Pachamalai
(Tk), Puthukottai
35 Sis. Stella, Villupuram Dist, 9488892727 Section Leader Kalrayan Hills
36 Mr. Kaliyappan 9488885652 Observer Kolli hills
37 P.Sakthivel, 1-B, Muniyan 9842769358 Section Leader Kolli Hills
Colony, Rasi puram, Nammakal
Dist,
38 K.Selvaraj, Pandiyaaru, Village Leader Kolli Hills
Karavalli (Po), Kolli Hills,
Nammakkal dt
39 N.Valarmathi, W/o. Nagarajan, Village Leader Kolli Hills
Chinnacheckkadi, Onanthangal
(Po), Rasipuram (Tk),
Nammakkal dt
40 S. Susila, Pethanaiyakkanpatti, Village Leader Kolli Hills
Karkudalpatti (Po), Rasipuram
(Tk), Nammakkal dt
41 Mr.Durai Samy, Ex. Army, 9444477686 Section Leader Yercaud
Yercad, Salem.
42 JeyaParkash Narayanan, Yercad. 9443916496 Section Leader Yercaud
43 Mr.Chandran, Vice President – 9489312790 Section Leader Yercaud
Yercad,
44 Mrs.Vasamalli, Thamizhagam, 91593 22780 Section Leader Nilgiris
Ooty, Nilgiri Dist
45 Sunny, Cuddalore, Nilgiri. 9443718120 Section Leader Yercaud
46 Mr. Stalin, Kelamangalam, Bye- 98657 70131 Section Leader Denkanikottai
Pass Road,Denkanikottai (Tk),
Krishnakiri
47 K.Senthil Kumar, 58, Kamarajar 9361120465 Section Leader Javathu Hills
Nagar, TN Pettai, Chengam (Tk),
Thruvannamalai
50 N.Gajendren, Thulukka kuttai, 9655714166 Section Leader Plain
Palla Kuppam, Kudiyatham
Taluk, Vellore Dist.
51 M.Guna Sekaran, Narayana 9443718120 Section Leader Plain
puram, Pattathai Peru puthur,
Thiruvallur Taluk & Dist,
52 Dhanaraj, Lawer & Tribal Rights 9361330173 Group Leader Plain
Activist, Sun Press, Radhapuram
& Po, Valliyoor (Tk),
Tirunelveli,
53 P.R.Raja, ARUDECS, 2, 9943936741 Group Leader Plain
Nattamaikarar St, 17 Kanavarisai
Santhu, Bodinayakanur (PO),
Theni Dt - 626515,
54 Mr.T.Marirajan, 9442524545 Observer Plain
2. DIRECT FIELD VISITS TO ECO REGIONS AND TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL OF
THE CONTACTS
The direct field visit is one of the main actions for establishing contacts and to identify the key
actors from field. Mr.Marirajan, S. Dhanaraj and Raja were made constant field visits around eco
regions. The following list is the detail of field visits.

Status / result
Region /

Whom
Field
Date

Eco

By

A state level conference on Adivasi land rights organized by TAFC

S.Dhanaraj
September

and Corner stone at Cuddalore. He took part and gave lecture. He also
Cudalore

explained the JS 2012 process. Ms.Jeyarani and Vasamalli willing to

2010

participate JS 2012. Ms.Vasamalli is willing participate as section

4th

leader. She is basically Thoda community leader.

Maliyalli tribes predominantly lived in Kolli Hills. There fourteen
Dengkan Kolli Hills / Nammakkal dt

tribal Panchyate were Maliyali tribes dominated namely Alathurnadu,

29&30th 18&19th September 2010

Ariyur Nadu, Bail Nadu, Cithoor Nadu, Devanur Nadu, Edapuli Nadu,
Gundur Nadu, Kunduni Nadu, Perakarai Nadu, Selur Nadu, Thinnanur
Nadu, Thirupuli Nadu, Valappur Nadu, Valavanthi Nadu. FRA
implementation work is under process. So far 44 land pattas in
Thinnoornadu and 115 land pattas in Bilenadu was prepared by the
Mariraja Marirajan.T

authorities.

Mr.P.Sakthivel, Director of MGNEM Society is working among

Maliyali tribes in these areas. Basically he is a Gandhiyan activist.
Mr. Stalin, Director of RDC is working among Irula Tribes. RDC is
ikottai /
Thiruvall
Septemb
er 2010

also member of TAFCE and TAK. Taluk level Irular Federation is

also formed and functioning among Irular Tribes. Federation leaders
n.T

are willing to participate JS 2012.

Senthilkumar from Chengam is our contact person. He is working
/
Thiruvanna
Marirajn.T
September

maliyalai adivasis in health issues.

Javathu

Balasuberamani is also having some contacts among Irula tribes. He is

2010

hills

basically labour activist.

31st

Forest Rights act 2006 and JS 2012 was explained among Paliyan
nai hills /

Dhanaraj
Thalaiya

Tirunelv
October

tribes. Ms. Eminal W/f. Thaniyel is willing to participate JS 2012 as

2010

section leader.
5th

S.

Mr. Prabhakaran is our contact. He is having working relation among

Mariraja
October

Nilkiris

Kurumban tribes.
2010
16th

n.T
 Mr.Ravi, Tribal activist is willing to act as section leader for JS 2012

/
Varusanadu

S.Dhanaraj
October in Varushanadu hills.

Theni
2012

Hills
Mr.Murugan, Paliyan Community leader from Nochiyodai village is
20th

willing to played as village leader role

Mr.Thangaraj, Tribal activist came from paliyan tribal community is
lai/Madurai
Sirumalai / Kuthiraima

S.Dhnaraj
willing to act as section leader for JS 2012 in Kuthiraimalai hills.
October

district
2010

Mr.Divendran, Paliyan Community leader from Kurunchi nagar

25th

village is willing to played as village leader role

Mr. Suberamani and Sanjivi from Paliyan Community act as village
November

S.Dhnaraj

leaders of Sirumalai region

Dindugal
7th
SUCCESS STORY:

Paliyan Land Struggle supported by Adivasi Team of EP – TN:

45 families Paliyan adivais of Pulichimandurai, Bodi agamalai hills in Theni district of
Tamilnadu wants to occupy the land under FRA 2006 allotted for them two years before which
was encroached by forest department. Forest department was planted the 7 saplings of Bee Nari
tree and take possession of the land during last year which location of the land is adjacent to
forest boundary.

Presently the paliyan adivais families lived in scatted manner in nearby agri & horticulture farms
as wage labourer under bonded system for 20kg of PDS rice and Rs. 500 per month.

The continuous educational and capacity building process initiated by young adivasis activist
Mr.S. Dhanaraj and Mr.Raja. The result of the 4 years of work yield some result by emergence
of paliyan leadership among the community. The village leaders of the community continuously
discus with their community to break the bonded system with the support traditional and
customary rights ensured under FRA 2006. A separate informal meeting was held at Madurai on
6th November for occupying housing land in Karakaddu, a foot hills bodi agamalai hills and its
consequences was discussed deeply by the leaders of Paliyan. Finally Paliyan leaders willing to
break the bondage system in their area with the legal support of FRA 2006.

On early morning of 8th November, 24 families were moved to Karakaddu site (encroached by
forest dept) and to build the huts. Around 11'o clock, the forest officials came and try evict the
people by using muscle power. Leaders of Paliyan were opposed the move. All the families of
Paliyans were ready to cooperate with forest officials if arrested legally with their cattle and
other small animals. A three hour dialogue was gone both parties. Finally they came to a
conclusion of keeping the 7 Bee Nari plants as it’s in the site and the forest department never
makes evict which was also conveyed to DFO of theni by the officials. Paliyan adivaisis also
offered a suggestion to forest dept, if they give fruit bearing trees in coming rainy sesson, they
will ready to plant in the backyard of their huts. The forest official return back from the site
around 2 clock when people joy and thanked effort made by leaders of Paliyan and Dhanaraj.
After that both Paliyan adivasi leaders and our team decided to expose the above said issue and
the non implementation of FRA in Tamilnadu when Chief Minister of Tamilnadu visiting to
Madurai for his grandson marriage on 18th of this month.

Mr. Dhanaraj spoke to Hindu, a national daily team in Madurai to cover the situation of Paliyan
adivasis and their struggle for seeking CM personal attention during his visit to Madurai. Hindu
press team visited Pulichimandurai (Sarakkadu) area and spoke to paliyan on 15th. It was finally
published on 15th November.

Very next day, the authorities came and visited the site. On 24th, they have land and offered
housing grant under state scheme.

Attachment 1: Hindu article

Date:18/11/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2010/11/18/stories/2010111863840500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

28 Paliyar tribal families intensify fight for land title

D. Karthikeyan
Erect hutments on land surveyed for them
— Photo: K. Ganesan

ON THE WARPATH:The families of Paliyar tribe at Serakkadu near Bodinaickanur in

Theni district.
MADURAI:
Twenty-eight families belonging to the Paliyar tribe (Scheduled Tribe) at Serakkadu, 10 km from
Bodinaickanur in Theni district, have intensified the fight for their rights by erecting hutments
and claiming land title on lands surveyed for them.

The 28 families, which have been protesting for more than two years for title deeds, finally
decided on Sunday (November 7) to erect huts and settled down on the foothills.
Officials of the Forest Department, Bodi Range, have threatened to remove the huts but the
adivasis have asserted that the hutments were erected on revenue land, which was supposed to be
distributed to them under the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers
Recognition of Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006.

The Paliyars, originally a nomadic hunter-gatherer tribe found here, settled down a few decades
ago. The adivasi families in Serakkadu work as ‘serfs' in the large mango plantations mostly for
a meagre sum of Rs.100 and a maximum of Rs.1,000. In most cases the payment is made in kind
rather than cash and includes 10 or 15 kg of ration rice.

R. Karuppayi (40), who has worked for long in the plantations, said on Tuesday, “In most cases
we have to work as families but still we will be paid wages equivalent to that of an individual.”
A few members still go into the forests to make use of the common property resources available
for tribals, like honey, twigs and fruits.

Whenever they demand more payment or come out with any grievance, the adivasis are
threatened that they would be evicted. R. Paliyaraj said that the threat of eviction was an every
day reality in their lives and there were times that almost all families were evicted more than
once. The Paliyars here do not come under the ambit of citizenship as they have no proof. None
among them has cast a vote till now and, after a long struggle, a few families were given ration
cards over the last 6 months. There is no one in the tribe who has crossed primary education.
All they claim is a piece of land, concrete houses, drinking water and a balwadi for the children.
G. Dhanraj, tribal rights activist, who was instrumental in organising the Paliyars, said that even
though there were numerous laws to ensure the rights of adivasis, the State was not interested in
implementing them.

Burying the dead

The most disturbing thing about the Paliyars here is the fact that they have no place to bury the
dead. For long they have been burying the dead in a place called ‘Kozhi Koodu,' which is four
km away from where they dwell. In the middle of a small mound there is a large cave and it is
where they bury the dead.
© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu

Attachment 2: Patta distribution function photos and Paper cutting

ேபாடி அருேக மைலவாழ் மக்களுக்கு இலவச வட்டுமைனப்பட்டா
ீ கெலக்டர் வழங்கினார்

ேபாடி,நவ்25: ேதனி மாவட்டம் ேபாடிநாயக்கனுர் அருேக உள்ள சிைறக்காடு கிராமத்தில் வசிக்கும்

பழங்குடியினர்களுக்கு இலவச வட்டுமைனப்பட்டாக்கைள
ீ மாவட்ட கெலக்டர் முத்துவரன்
ீ வழங்கினார்.

சிைறக்காடு பகுதியில் புளிச்சிமான் துைறயில் வசிக்கும் பழங்குடியினருக்கு வட்டுமைனபட்டா

ீ மற்றும்
ஜாதிச்சான்றிதழ் உள்ளிட்ட அைனத்து அடிப்பைட வசதிகளும் ெசய்து தரேவண்டும் என்ற ெசய்தியிைன கடந்த
19_ஆம் ேததி ெவளியிட்ட தினஞீ மி நாளிதழ் ெசய்தியின் எதிெராலியாக ஆதிதிராவிடர் மற்றும் பழங்குடியினர்
வகுப்ைபச் ேசர்ந்த 39 குடும்பங்களுக்கு இலவச வட்டுமைனப்பட்டாக்கள்
ீ வழங்கப்பட்டது்இவர்களுக்கு
கான்கீ ரிட் வடுகளும்
ீ கட்டித்தரப்படும் , ஒவ்ெவாரு வட்டின்
ீ மதிப்பும் ரூ்75 ஆயிரம் வதம்
ீ ெமாத்தம் ரூ் 29◌்25
லட்சம் மதிப்பில் 39 வடுகளும்
ீ கட்டித்தரப்படும் ேமலும் இக்கிராமத்திற்கு பாதுகாக்கப்பட்ட குடிஞிர்
வசதி,மின்சார வசதி,சாைல வசதி ,கல்வி வசதி முதிேயார் , விதைவகள் மற்றும் மாற்றுத்திறனாளிகளுக்கும்
விைரவில் உதவித்ெதாைக வழங்கப்படும் ேமலும் இப்பகுதி மக்களின் ேகாரிக்ைகைய ஏற்று விைரவில் மினி
ேபருந்து இயக்கப்படும் என்று மாவட்ட கெலக்டர் முத்துவரன்
ீ ௯றினார்◌்இந்நிகழ்ச்சியில் மாவட்ட வருவாய்
அலுவலர் பிருந்தாேதவி,ேபாடி எம்.எல்.ஏ் லட்சுமணன்,நகர்மன்ற துைணத்தைலவர் சங்கர் , உள்ளிட்ட பலர்
கலந்து ெகாண்டனர்
Source: http://www.thinaboomi.com/2010/nov/25/districts/district10.php

PATTA DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION