Forest officials prevent Podu land pattadars from cultivating lands in Telangana

Nearly 1.5 lakh tribals were handed over pattas covering about four lakh acres in 2023.

Hyderabad: The happiness and security of obtaining Podu land pattas during the BRS government ‘s tenure seems to be vanishing for many farmers in the State. The reason – Forest department is denying them permission to cultivate the lands, sink borewells, use tractors and get power connections.

Nearly 1.5 lakh tribals were handed over pattas covering about four lakh acres in 2023.

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This apart, when farmers present podu pattas to the forest officials and claim possession of the land, they are being told that the lands were located elsewhere and were being asked to cultivate in those areas.

All these issues found an echo in the State assembly and interestingly, it was the ruling party legislators who voiced concerns over the issue.

Yellareddy MLA Madanmohan Rao said due to differences between revenue and forest departments, many farmers, especially tribals, were facing a lot of inconvenience.

In Rajampeta mandal under Yellareddy constituency, farmers, particularly BCs, have been cultivating lands abutting forests for 30 years. They were issued RoFR Pattas as well. But forest officials were subjecting them to a lot of inconvenience and directing them to vacate the lands, he said in the Assembly.

The issue was raised with the Collector as the farmers were deprived of Rythu Bharosa, Rythu Bima, crop loan waiver and other benefits. When the agriculture department was approached regarding pass books, they in turn said that the forest department was raising objections, the MLA informed.

These issues were rampant in Bhupalpally, Narayanhked constituency also. Farmers were given pattas and they own one or two acres and eke out their livelihood. They were prevented from digging borewells, operating tractors, constructing small houses and other restrictions were being imposed on the farmers, the MLA said.

These issues have to be addressed by both Forest and Revenue Ministers. The lands pattas allotted under RoFR should be surveyed by both Revenue and Forest departments, he demanded.

Devarkonda MLA N Balu Naik said forest officials were preventing tribal farmers from digging borewells in Kambalapally thanda. It was patta land but officials directed the farmers to dig borewells three kms away from their lands. These issues were predominantly in Kambalapally, Pogilla, Nallachemula, Chityala, Peddagattu, Lambapuram villages, he said.

Sirpur MLA Palvai Harish Babu said in Kondapally village under Sirpur constituency forest officials were planting saplings in the lands claiming them to be forest lands. Cases were booked against podu farmers and appealed that they should be withdrawn.

Mahabubabad MLA Murali Naik said Mattewada, Nelavancha and Kongaragidda villages were agency areas and tribal and adivasi farmers were cultivating lands for a long time. They have been appealing for power supply to their fields and the power department approved their applications.

“Since last one year, I have been appealing to the power department but they failed to convince the forest department and share details sought by them,” Murali Naik said, adding farmers in Narayanapuram and Sitanagaram villages in Guduru mandal were also facing a few issues.

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy admitted that despite podu pattas possession by farmers, forest officials were raising objections. These issues were prevailing in 30 to 35 constituencies in the State, he said.

Unfortunately, against the requirement of 892 surveyors only 242 surveyors were present. There was a need to appoint 1000 surveyors at the earliest to conduct surveys and address the boundary issues. Depending on the mandal area, one or two surveyors can be deployed, he added, stressing that all the land disputes would be resolved under the Bhu Bharati Act.