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Report on the flood effected area of Kotra,
Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
The Area
The Kotda region in the south of Rajasthan is one of the most backward region.
The tribals living in the region are far from the fruits of education and
development. It is a hilly region and it is difficult to approach. The cultivable
land is scarce and is divided into very small holdings. The tribals have one
or two cattle which enable them to survive in difficult circumstances. The
women and children lead a very hard life. They fetch fuel from the forest,
water from wells or other water bodies and do the household jobs. Children
take the cattle for grazing too. The highest burden lies on the adolescent
girls.
The Problem
The region usually experiences frequent droughts. That is a very tough time
for the tribal. They suffer starvation and are sometimes forced to survive
by eating their cattle when it pours down heavily, their hopes and crops are
swept away. Heavy rains have played havoc with the lives of the tribals this
year too. A survey conducted in the villages of Mandwa, Zed, Kukawas and other
Panchayats of Kotra Tehsil, where Rajasthan Bal Kalyan Samiti operates. It
was found that the houses of about 5000 tribal families have collapsed due
to torrential rains. About 30,000 others have experienced damage like cracks
in the walls, partial destruction of walls etc. Most of the crops in the region
are also submerged in water.
Natural Disaster
Though the major part of Rajasthan has experienced heavy rains yet
the most hard hit people are the ones living as Kotda region because they
have no resources or reserve-stock to fall back upon in such a crises. The
tribals have their huts on the top of the hills to safeguard themselves from
excessive rains but this year their huts made up of mud and straw could not
bear the rain and collapsed. The roofs and walls have fallen down. Some tribals
have tried to support the thatched roofs with bamboo poles, but that doesn’t
seem to be a permanent solution. The cloths and beddings of tribals got drenched.
The beddings are usually made by stitching together old cloths. Constant rain
outside and moisture inside made the beddings wet and spoiled. The tribals
do not have sufficient beds, bed sheets. Whatever little they had has been
drenched and is rotten. The mud floor is still wet and they are compelled
to sleep on it. Some tribals have cots but they are just one or two which
they use to let their children sleep. Some tribals have lost their goats which
died as they were buried under the debris of the collapsed walls.
Homeless
They have no roof over their heads sleeping in open. Whatever remains of the
roof are left, people do not want to sleep under them lest they might fall
any time. Some people have been given shelter by their neighbours. Hearths
have been cold for many days. The earthen tiles (called 'Kelu' in local dilect)
forming the roof have scattered and water drips down from the damaged roofs.
Even the foundation of houses have become weak. In several parts of this region
houses are still surrounded by water. The situation seems to remain the same
for the coming months too. People are forced to live with their children in
this condition.
Some houses are stinking. There is no place to seek shelter. Even there are
no community centers in the region.
Crops are destroyed
Even the seed were bought on credit. Due to heavy rains the crops are submerged
in water. All the fields have become ponds, since so much of water is deposited
in them. The crop will not survive. The seed is lost. Even the food grains
are now not there. The price of foodgrain have increased four times in last
one year as the big companies have bought all the produce from the farmers
and are selling them in the form of flour in domestic as well as foreign markets.
Severity of the Issue
Here the rainfall is more than 1400 mm till now whereas average rainfall is
400 to 500mm. Today also the houses can be seen full of water and 30,000
families affected badly and we collect data from field which tell us that
2500 families have completely lost their houses and they are living
in neighbour’s house, around 30 % families’s houses are partly
damaged and they too are facing problem. More then 70% families do
not have anything for food so they are eating Puaria a grass. Cattle’s
are also suffered from the adverse condition. Most of the agriculture fields
are full of water and field bunding is also damaged. 80 % Kharif crop is destroyed.
RBKS is already working in our working area with support of the UK based Donor
agencies such as Wells for India, UK; Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
After flood several type of water born diseases are spreading in the area
such as Malaria, Chikangunia, viral fever, etc. Many children and villagers
are suffering from the diseases and starvation. All contact roads are out
of order therefore villagers do not have proper treatment after the disease.
RBKS is approaching govt. to provide proper service in the area.
On the basis of whole situation analysis we have planned a budget for the
relief to the 5000 families of 30 villages of six panchayat. We request you
to kindly come forward and help to these peoples.
Waiting for help
This people have got used to bearing the excesses of nature. It seems that
perhaps they have accepted them as their destiny. Children and women are the
worst hit. The way natural obstacles come in their way as they proceed towards
progress it seems that if they do not get timely help and support, these people
will break down. The entire community which is making an effort to join the
main stream life will be forced to withdraw two steps back. People are sitting
here waiting for some help from the government or some agency.
Give a hand of help
The spectacle shows us that these people who are totally dependent on nature
have to suffer when it is scarcity of water and also when the water rains
abundantly. In the height of this pitiful state of the people living in these
villages of Kotda Tehsil, RBKS appeals to the people world over, who have
compassion for suffering humanity, to extend their help and support to provide
relief to the victims of the heavy rains this year. These people have lost
their houses and crops. They need cloths, medicines, funds to repair and reconstruct
their houses. Since their crops have been destroyed they will not have even
foodgrains for the coming one year. Therefore they would require help for
food also. If immediate help is not provided to them they will be forced to
migrate. This displacement will cause great discomfort and pain to the women
and Children. Therefore it is our earnest appeal to all the people across
national boundaries to come forward with generous help. Which shall act as
a ray of hope for these people.
Humble Request
They deserve our help and support. This is not the responsibility of a country
or its government alone. The whole of global community needs to feel concerned.
The tribals have a unique life style of their own, living in the close affinity
with nature. It is our pious duty to extend a helping hand to them in their
struggle for existence.