Podu Land Row Escalates in Adilabad Between Foresters, Cultivators

Adilabad: The long-standing Podu land issue continues to be a source of tension and conflict between forest officials and cultivators, particularly in the erstwhile Adilabad district. With the arrival of the monsoon, both foresters and Podu farmers become active, officials trying to protect and reclaim forest land by planting saplings, and cultivators resuming agricultural activity on lands they have tilled for years.

This recurring conflict often leads to confrontations, with local leaders frequently stepping in to mediate between forest staff and farmers. The Sirpur (T) Assembly Constituency in Komaram Bheem Asifabad district has emerged as the epicentre of Podu-related disputes.

Many cultivators, especially tribal farmers, remain hopeful that the Congress government will grant them pattas (land titles) for the lands they have traditionally cultivated. However, a large number of non-tribals are also engaged in Podu cultivation in Sirpur (T), despite the fact that the Recognition of Forest Rights (RoFR) Act does not provide for land rights to non-tribals in the same way it does for tribal communities. Allegations have surfaced that some political leaders are supporting non-tribal cultivators in violation of these provisions.

Before the 2023 Assembly elections, the previous BRS government had issued pattas to 1.51 lakh Podu farmers, covering 4.6 lakh acres of land across Telangana. In Komaram Bheem Asifabad district alone, 15,519 beneficiaries were granted pattas for 47,000 acres.

As local body elections approach, the issue is intensifying, placing pressure on political leaders to address the concerns of Podu farmers. The dispute has resurfaced in several villages across Boath, Neredigonda, Indravelli, and Utnoor mandals in Adilabad district.

Utnoor forest divisional officer (FDO) Revanth Chandra said that some individuals are trying to cultivate forest lands while forest staff are working to plant trees as a means to reclaim and protect these areas. He alleged that certain cultivators have been closing pits dug for tree planting, and added that complaints would be filed with the police against such actions.

According to official sources, around 11,172 tribal farmers and 7,172 non-tribal farmers have previously submitted claims for rights to approximately 72,000 acres of land in Adilabad district through gram sabhas.

Tensions have recently escalated: on July 2, Podu cultivators reportedly obstructed forest staff attempting to plant trees in the Bheempur area of Vaipet forest in Sirikonda mandal. A similar incident occurred on July 4 at Bavojipet in Inchoda mandal. Forest officials further alleged that teak trees were felled illegally in the Fakirnaik Thanda area of Sirikonda mandal on July 3 by locals encroaching on forest land.

Raj Gond Seva Samiti state convener Sidam Arju accused forest staff of trying to reclaim lands that were already allotted through RoFR and other assigned land schemes. He claimed that these actions are being taken under the guise of retrieving forest and Podu lands, which is creating fear and uncertainty among tribal communities.