The voluntary resettlement scheme aimed at the rehabilitation of landholders on the forest fringes as part of the Rebuild Kerala Initiative is yet to make the expected progress in Kozhikode district, thanks to non-cooperation by a section of upland farmers and their organisations.
The delay in allotment of funds for farmers whose land documents have already been verified has also affected the number of new takers for the scheme.
Some prominent farmers’ organisations, which are now in the forefront of agitations on agricultural issues, claim that the scheme does not meet their actual requirements or demands but widen the forest area to human habitat. Organisations opposed to the scheme say that the actual requirement of landowners in upland areas is effective measures to counter wild animal menace and ensure protection of life and property rather than an evacuation.
