Govt finally reaches out to Dongria Kondhs

Bhubaneswar: In an effort to win the trust of the members of Dongria Kondh tribal community of Niyamgiri hills in Rayagada district, the local administration today ventured through the hilly terrain and met the inhabitants of the region.

The aim of the 12-km-long walk through the highs and lows of the mountains was to help the tribals develop their socio-economic condition. Rayagada collector and superintendent of police (SP) spoke to the Kondhs for a long time and enquired about their social life.

“This mission is intended for the administrative officials to reach out to the villagers and make them part of the government welfare schemes such as health, education, proper road connectivity and facilitate safe drinking water,” the collector said.

The tribals though still appear to be living in fear and reluctant to let outsiders get to them, agreed to work with the government on health, education and safe drinking water projects, sources said.