Alipurduar, Aug. 28 -- As the Forest Department and district administration begin preparations to relocate residents of Jayanti to Bijaynagar, adjacent to Bonochhaya Basti, residents of Bonochhaya have renewed their demand for basic civic facilities.
The relocation is being planned to create a safer habitat for tigers in the Buxa Tiger Reserve. The issue has gained prominence as the preliminary process for shifting Jayanti residents to Bijaynagar has begun in connection with the proposed reintroduction of tigers into the reserve.
The 66 families from Ganggutia Basti and 17 families from Bhutia Basti, who were relocated to Bonochhaya in March 2024 from the reserve's core area, alleged that several facilities promised to them have not yet been provided. While roads, household electricity connections and drinking water have been made available, there is still no primary school, Anganwadi centre or health centre in the area.
Kalchini MLA and Minister of State for Home and Hill Affairs Bishal Lama blamed the previous government and said initiatives had already been taken to establish a primary school, Anganwadi centre, health centre and high school. He said work on the facilities was expected to begin soon. On Thursday, officials from the district administration and the District Land and Land Reforms Department visited Bonochhaya to review preparations for the Jayanti rehabilitation process. Residents raised their concerns and demanded immediate action. Officials advised them to submit a written memorandum to the Kalchini BDO, following which a delegation submitted the memorandum on Friday.
Moni Lama, a resident, said: "We have remained silent for two years. We were promised basic facilities, but there is still no school or health centre. Jayanti residents are now also being relocated here, yet there is not even a school."
Another resident, Saraswati Chhetri, said the nearest Anganwadi centre, primary school and block health centre were at least 12 km away.
"Will our children not have access to education? Will we not receive healthcare?" she asked.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.