250km from Bangalore, this tribe still has to live on trees

MADIKERI: At a time when man is looking at setting foot on Mars, a tribe living about 250km from technology hub Bangalore has trees as home. They have lived this way for more than six decades.

Around 40 people belonging to Jenu Kuruba tribe in Banavara village of Somwarpet taluk have made trees their home. They skillfully climb trees to reach their wooden homes - often as high as 50-60 feet - where they live in families of up to six members.

"They have been living this way for the past 65 years, but nobody seems to be bothered about it, be it local administration or the government," said Roy David, secretary of the Coorg Organization for Rural Development, an NGO.

"It's as if they are still living in the Stone Age." Interestingly, they vote during elections, easily falling to the lure of liquor offered by politicians.

"We are fed up of living like this, but can't help it," said Ajju, a Jenu Kurubas. Other members of the tribe like Kencha, Shankara, Lingaraju, Shivabasappa and Kala echoed him. No child from any of the 16 Jenu Kuruba families goes to school.

Some of the tribals have built thatched huts on the ground close to their tree houses for their women. But it seems to make more sense to continue living on trees as it protects them from marauding elephants. The tree houses double as watch towers for the men to alert the women about the movement of elephants.

The Jenu Kurubas, who number one lakh and are largely located in the Karnataka Western Ghats, are excellent hunters and fishermen. But like city dwellers, they face a serious drinking water problem. They routinely trek 2-3 km to fetch water.

"The tribals should get community rights. They should be provided basic minimum facilities," said David.

When contacted, local MLA Appachu Ranjan said he would soon visit the area and make efforts to improve the living conditions of the tree dwellers. "I have asked officials to submit a report and recommend necessary action," he said.

Times View

That people still have to live on trees is absolutely shameful. The condition of the Jenu Kurubas of Banavara village, unchanged for 65 years, reflects the neglect of voiceless people - a rot that has crept into our system. Successive governments, elected representatives and bureaucrats are to blame for this sorry state of affairs. What is particularly galling is that these tribals vote in elections, but reap no fruits of democracy. At least now, people in power should wake up and provide basic living conditions to this hapless community.