This land is your land and this land is my land, sure, but the world is run by those that never listen to music anyway— Bob Dylan
Likao Odyuo
Since time immemorial the joyful people of Podinakup (villages under sub-division, locally given name for topographical presentation) comprising of ten (10) villages had a Merry Life blessed by the nature's rich resource. Utilising the nature's abundance with wisdom and labour, they were all well off. Once the rich harvest is over by mid October, comes a bright moment for the people of Podinakup as they go around in group to the jungles to accumulate yearly needs of their family by way of hunting, fishing, collecting firewood etc. till their limited wants and needs of family is fulfilled. Then settle for a rest and celebrations followed by preparation for the next cultivation.
Podinakup is neatly bounded by two rivers; Baghty River in the East and Doyang River in the West. Both are the main source of livelihood mainly in terms of aquatic species and cultivation. These rivers have also bonded strong geo-socio-political relationship between villages and people by way of traditional fishing and feasting on it.
But since few decades, ever thing has changed. The two invincible blessings have become a disguised one. They are cut off from their only survival. Their only livelihood is no more dependable, unless mechanised. People are left in fear psychosis as the Baghty River has a frequent visitor of Mighty Wild Elephants and the Doyang stream no more has its natural swift flow but controlled by humans who care for no man rather designed only to quench his thirst of greed. Both have lost its charm and attractions.
Once a proud owner of the land cannot now set foot on it freely for cultivation. It is beyond his strength to fight with Mighty Elephants for territory and survival. Although some few arrangements and help might have given to the people in the past, that is not the end and should never be. They are always intimidated by these Giants and human lives are always at stake. Many of who risk life for survival had lost their soul and the most recent one happened on December 2016 when everyone was preparing with full zeal and joy for celebrations. It is no men's fault for the tragedy and to encounter with wild Elephants and to get killed. But there are/is Agency to take care of, and avoid such dreadful incidents.
Coming to the other side of Podinakup territory is a man-controlled stream which is more devastating. The authorities at Doyang Hydro Electric Project (DHEP) never ponder in the grievances of the downstream areas and the people. Plantations and farm fields established pre-commissioning of the project have either abandoned or swept off by the abnormal flow of Doyang Stream. For the fear of Upstream man-made Doyang vessel and the roaring water in the percolating dam, people have almost lost faith on it for survival. Except for some few who relied, sacrificed their life in the roaring stream, as recently happened to one on 28th December 2016 while she was crossing the violent ferocious stream to harvest orange at her plantation. Many traditional practices like traditional fishing to name one has made impossible due to incessant release of water from the pit. Proper alms and necessary arrangements should be done for the Doyang Downstream People immediately for peaceful co-existence with the nature.
I am a simple normal man, compelled to pen down these words by seeing the sufferings of the people of Podinakup. For many years these Denizens have been going through harsh times which they are not responsible for. Their hues and cries never reach the ear of the authorities/agencies or are never heard. Safety and wellbeing of Humans is second to none when it comes to priority for existence on Earth. Respect one another and protect the rich heritage of everyone to make this World a better place.
