Forest Lands Opposed in Valsad

The Gujarat government’s attempts to evict adivasis from forest lands where they have been living for generations, in the name of ‘Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana’ is  being opposed by people of Dharampur taluka in Valsad district.

Recently villagers of Baghwal, Upalpada and Nani Koswadi panchayats met the DM of Valsad and demanded land titles under the Forest Rights Act. They also demanded to rehabilitate the evicted adivasis on their own lands. CPIML district committee member Anand Bhai Barat, Suresh Bhai Gaikoid, Motibhai Jadav led villagers for this protest which was held on 14 September.