In the undivided Koraput district of Orissa, there exist 190 villages that have slowly been pushed off the map of India. Hurled by fast-track development into what the state officially calls a “cut-off” region — hills submerged by the stilled waters of huge reservoirs; a space created by administrative fiat; a gap in the collective memory of the nation; a gash in its growth — 20,000 tribals today find themselves in an absurd situation: whereas they exist, they also don’t.
In the undivided Koraput district of Orissa, there exist 190 villages that have slowly been pushed off the map of India. Hurled by fast-track development into what the state officially calls a “cut-off” region — hills submerged by the stilled waters of huge reservoirs; a space created by administrative fiat; a gap in the collective memory of the nation; a gash in its growth — 20,000 tribals today find themselves in an absurd situation: whereas they exist, they also don’t.
In the undivided Koraput district of Orissa, there exist 190 villages that have slowly been pushed off the map of India. Hurled by fast-track development into what the state officially calls a “cut-off” region — hills submerged by the stilled waters of huge reservoirs; a space created by administrative fiat; a gap in the collective memory of the nation; a gash in its growth — 20,000 tribals today find themselves in an absurd situation: whereas they exist, they also don’t.
Laxman Singh, chief of Gram Vikas Yuvak Mandal explaining the map painted in the centre of the Laporiya village. The green painted area is the common village land - grazing land under government control. On the map, square denotes Chaukas - a uniqe water harvesting system, less one feet deep, designed by Laxman Singh and his colleagues
Laxman Singh, chief of Gram Vikas Yuvak Mandal explaining the map painted in the centre of the Laporiya village. The green painted area is the common village land - grazing land under government control. On the map, square denotes Chaukas - a uniqe water harvesting system, less one feet deep, designed by Laxman Singh and his colleagues
Laxman Singh, chief of Gram Vikas Yuvak Mandal explaining the map painted in the centre of the Laporiya village. The green painted area is the common village land - grazing land under government control. On the map, square denotes Chaukas - a uniqe water harvesting system, less one feet deep, designed by Laxman Singh and his colleagues
The map painted in the centre of the Laporiya village. The green painted area is the common village land - grazing land under government control. On the map, square denotes Chaukas - a uniqe water harvesting system, less than one feet deep, designed by Laxman Singh and his colleagues
A tank in which treated effluent is stored for distribution for irrigation purposes. On the wall is a map showing the area under irrigation by treated effluent.