BY LYNDON J PINTO & NAWAZ SHAIKH
Panaji: Living without piped water, fans, lights or adequate shelter will surely be a nightmare for people in Goa. But for over four decades, this has been a reality for the families of the nomadic Wanarmare tribe, who have settled on a hillock bordering a forest in Dhabal, Nirankal, for the last four years.
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| Huts of the Wanarmare tribe which were allegedly destroyed by the villagers. |
Thrust into the spotlight a fortnight ago after 13 huts were damaged by angry villagers, 44 adults and 43 children of the tribe have been living in fear and depending on good will of some citizens and NGOs for food and supplies.
Appointed as village leader for his ability to communicate in Konkani, 42-year-old Gopal Vasant Powar explained to Gomantak Times that villagers and his tribe have been peacefully coexisting for half a century, until recent events have filled the tribe's minds and hearts with fear.
“When the villagers attacked our huts, most of the adults were away at work and only two couples and most of the children were in our dwelling area, which is our routine procedure. Out of fear, they fled to the forest to save themselves. After the attack, we are all scared to go to work as the villagers may destroy all our huts,” said Gopal, uncertain about the presence of six armed police personnel at the site.
“We have one proper meal (rice and a vegetable) a day and even for that, we have to depend on the goodwill of some villagers or some NGOs who give us rice or dal. We get paid between Rs 70 and Rs 200 a day for the work we do, but since we have not gone to work after the attack, we do not have money to buy our own food,” said Gopal.
While the tribe is facing a new hurdle following the attack, the living condition of the 22 families for the last four years, has been far from ideal.
During the attack, three huts were demolished while close to 10 were ransacked and damaged. About 15 existing huts, made up of bamboo and coconut palm leaves now house the 22 families.
While there is no electricity or water supply to the dwelling area, under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar donated around 17 solar-panel powered battery packs which lit up a bulb and powered a socket in each hut.
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| Solar-panel which were stoned by the 'villagers' |
However, around nine of these solar panels were destroyed by the villagers in the attack, plunging the tribe's dwelling place into darkness post sunset.
“The lights were extremely important, as they allowed the children to complete their school work after dark. Thirty of our children go to school, eight to a Balwadi and 22 go to a government school. We settled in this village because of the children's education. I am uneducated but I understand the importance of education and hence I want our children to be educated as they can be the future of the tribe," lamented Gopal.
A misconception being spread about the tribe is that they reek, as they do not bathe for weeks, however, in spite of spending close to four hours with the tribe, team GT found no repulsive odour from any of the tribe members they interacted with.
Bathing regularly though requires water, for which, Gopal and his tribe need to walk close to a kilometre away. A little spring provides water to the tribe for the purpose of drinking, bathing, cooking and washing of clothes and utensils.
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| Boy filling the water for drinking purpose from the spring |
The spring empties into a water body which is divided into two parts: one to collect water and the second for bathing and washing clothes and utensils. However, upon inspection, it was found that the second water body could be contaminated due to the presence of frogs and moss.
“This spring is not perennial and may stop giving water in a month's time, as it has almost dried up. After that, we will have to walk at least three kilometres to the Mhadei river to fetch water. Sometimes the area where we bathe now, is used by buffaloes. They contaminate the water and then we can't use it for weeks,” explained Gopal.
After initially using natural means to heal illnesses, the tribe now go to the local Primary Health Centre to treat any sicknesses.
“We used to treat ourselves using nature first, but now we go to a medical centre as it is easier to seek treatment there. If we don't have money for treatment, we ask our employers for an advance payment and then work for free the next day, depending on the amount borrowed,” said Gopal.
Stating that the tribe would consider moving out of their existing dwelling area only as a last resort, Gopal said “We will shift from here, but request the government to provide us problem-free land and a school in the vicinity for our children.”
“Electricity and water are not important but education is. We don’t mind living in our present condition, as we are happy but we don’t want trouble. We have been living peacefully for decades and wish to continue living peacefully,” said Gopal.
Interestingly, five members of the community own mobile phones. When asked, they said that they mostly use it as a torch and some time, to make phone calls. But they rarely have calling balance in their phones.
Wanarmare Tribes' history
> Believed to be descendent of Ekalavya (from the Mahābhārata)
> Originated in Maharashtra, moved to Goa close to 50 years ago
> Nomadic monkey hunters until Indian Penal Laws banned hunting
> Now work as daily wage workers in plantations and fields
> Do not work at construction sites
> Settled in Nirankal far last four years due to school going kids
> Speak 'Khatkeri' between themselves, understand Konkani
> Not registered under ST or SC in Goa, but Wanarmare Community is an ST in Maharashtra
