Kushalnagar: In Anekadu forest region, six families from Jenukuruba tribal community has been living in the elephant camp, taking care of the elephantsfor genrations.

Sumathi, a woman of the Jenukuruba tribe spoke to the media and said that she was married 20 years back in this region. We have not received any benefits from the government schemes. We do not have basic facilities. We do not even have the right to vote, she added.

“Inspite of releasing funds for the development of tribals under various schemes, due to the lack of implementation of the schemes by the officials, the tribals have not seen expected progress in the region. We have water problem and there is no electricity too to protect us from wild animals. Solar energy given by the government has not reached our region. We do not have proper homes to live hence we live in thatched roof huts”, she said.

Neither the forest department nor the Panchayats have provided electricity connection in their huts even though four electric poles are put-up.

Their husbands work in the forest department as mahouts. During night time they live with fear as the trained elephants join the forest elephants. Even they do not get proper wages, the villagers stressed.

There is no medical aid in times of medical emergencies for the children. “Our children do not go to school, instead spend time in the forest helping parents. Why the education department is silent on these issues”, she asks.