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Kuchia Jote Survey

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Kuchia Jote Survey

On 15th of April 2025 our team members of Sarvodaya Samadhikar Foundation of Siliguri has visited Kuchiya jot and its adjoining villages which comes under Ghoshpukur Gram Panchyat,North Bengal India. North Bengal is also home to indigenous groups (Adivasis) like the Rajbongshis, Santhals, Oraons etc stands at a crossroads. While the region’s breathtaking landscapes mask its deep-seated inequalities, its tribal villages tell a different story: one of landlessness, shrinking forests, and a way of life under threat. Despite constitutional safeguards and welfare schemes, these communities face triple marginalization as Adivasis, as poor agricultural laborers, and as minorities in a region often overshadowed by political and economic priorities elsewhere.
The purpose of this visit was to interact with residents, assess development progress, and identify key challenges affecting daily life. The experience was both eye opening and humbling, revealing stark disparities in access to basic amenities, striving for growth amidst infrastructural and economic constraints a testament to both resilience and the need for further intervention

KEY OBSERVATIONS & EXPERIENCES

  • Living Conditions & Infrastructure: -
  • Housing: Most homes were made of mud, bamboo, or thatch, with only a few concrete structures. Many lacked proper ventilation and sanitation
  • Water & Sanitation: Limited access to clean drinking water; villagers relied on wells or river water. Although some villagers have individuals and shared toilets but open defecation is still a common due to insufficient of toilets.
  • Roads & Connectivity: Poorly maintained dirt roads made transportation difficult, especially during monsoons
  • Livelihoods & Economic Struggles: -
  • Agriculture: The primary occupation, but farmers faced challenges like unpredictable weather, lack of irrigation, and low crop prices.
  • Employment: Limited job opportunities led to seasonal migration for labor work in cities.
  • Women & Children: Women engaged in Tea Garden as a labour and the other in household chores or daily wage labor. Children often helped their parents instead of attending school regularly.
  • Education, Identity and Healthcare: -
  • Schooling: A single primary school served the village, but dropout rates were high due to economic pressures and lack of secondary schools nearby.
  • Identity: Tribal children struggle in schools where instruction ignores their languages (e.g., Sadri, Santhali) and cultural contexts. Dropout rates soar as families migrate seasonally for work.
  • Healthcare: No proper health canter; villagers travel long distances for medical care even for preventable diseases were common.

Recommendations for Sustainable Development:

  • Water & Irrigation: Construct check dams and promote drip irrigation.
  • Healthcare Access: Introduce mobile medical units and village health volunteers.
  • Education Support: Provide scholarships, infrastructure upgrades, and digital learning tools.
  • Employment Generation: Establish local skill-training centers and small-scale industries.
  • Road Connectivity: Upgrade village roads to withstand monsoon damage.

Conclusion:

This visit was a stark reminder of the inequalities that persist in rural areas. While the challenges are immense, the villagers’ resilience and sense of community offer hope. Immediate interventions in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, combined with long-term livelihood programs, can bring meaningful change.