Times of India: Ahmedabad: Tuesday, 12 September 2023.
To bring a permanent solution to the issue of salt farmers’ user rights in the Little Rann of Kutch (LRK), the state revenue department will conduct a comprehensive survey and settlement process of all salt producers working on salt pans of ten acres or less.
Representatives of Agariya Hitrakshak Manch, an NGO working for the welfare of agariyas or salt farmers, called this a balanced decision that will ensure livelihood of the workers as well as environmental conservation. There are about 8,000 families of traditional salt farmers who work in the LRK in addition to some 1,500 fishermen who earn their livelihood from it. Earlier this week, on Sunday, the forest department had posted SRP personnel along the LRK periphery preventing salt pan workers from entering the sanctuary.
“The matter was brought to the notice of elected representatives and a representation was made to the government, after which the workers were allowed. The decision to conduct a survey and settlement process and subsequently grant user rights to salt farmers is a welcome step. The workers, the environment and the wildlife will benefit from it,” said Harinesh Pandya, president of the Agariya Hitrakshak Manch.
“This is a balanced decision between conservation and ensuring livelihood. Traditional agariyas had been left out of the survey and settlement process. They will get user rights once the survey is complete,” said Pankti Jog, who is also associated with the Agariya Hitrakshak Manch.
To bring a permanent solution to the issue of salt farmers’ user rights in the Little Rann of Kutch (LRK), the state revenue department will conduct a comprehensive survey and settlement process of all salt producers working on salt pans of ten acres or less.
Representatives of Agariya Hitrakshak Manch, an NGO working for the welfare of agariyas or salt farmers, called this a balanced decision that will ensure livelihood of the workers as well as environmental conservation. There are about 8,000 families of traditional salt farmers who work in the LRK in addition to some 1,500 fishermen who earn their livelihood from it. Earlier this week, on Sunday, the forest department had posted SRP personnel along the LRK periphery preventing salt pan workers from entering the sanctuary.
“The matter was brought to the notice of elected representatives and a representation was made to the government, after which the workers were allowed. The decision to conduct a survey and settlement process and subsequently grant user rights to salt farmers is a welcome step. The workers, the environment and the wildlife will benefit from it,” said Harinesh Pandya, president of the Agariya Hitrakshak Manch.
“This is a balanced decision between conservation and ensuring livelihood. Traditional agariyas had been left out of the survey and settlement process. They will get user rights once the survey is complete,” said Pankti Jog, who is also associated with the Agariya Hitrakshak Manch.
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