Odisha family surviving in dilapidated hut in dense forest for 50 years without basic amenities

A family in Odisha ’s Subarnapur district has been living in a dilapidated mud-and-thatch house deep inside a forest for nearly 50 years. Despite several government welfare schemes, the poor family continues to remain deprived of basic facilities and the benefits of development. The family of Chakaman Bagarti lives in isolation inside the forest near Tileimal village under Babupali Gram Panchayat in Binika block of Subarnapur district. The condition of their house reflects their years of struggle. Fifteen-year-old Sujata Bagarti walks nearly three kilometres every day to attend Rampur High School. With dreams of building a better future, she travels with her father through rough field paths, braving the scorching heat, rain, and cold. However, the family’s hardships do not end there. There is no proper road leading to their house and no access to safe drinking water. They are forced to depend on dirty and unhygienic water from a nearby stream for their daily needs. The family says the only government assistance they receive is 15 kilograms of rice. Basic facilities such as land patta, a pucca house, electricity connection, and safe drinking water remain out of their reach. Also Read: Odisha family awaits govt support as 3-year-old ailing daughter’s life begins & ends on a bed "We are poor people, but we have not got any help from the government. Our daughter walks nearly three kilometres every day to attend school. There is no proper road leading to our house and we have no access to safe drinking water. We are forced to depend on dirty and unhygienic water from a nearby stream for our daily needs," said Rudana, wife of Chakaman Bagarti. "We don't have land patta and a proper house. There is no proper road leading to our house," said Chakaman Bagarti. The three-member family has reportedly been living nearly three kilometres away from the village, inside the forest, for around five decades. Despite being eligible beneficiaries, they have allegedly been deprived of several government schemes. Local residents have demanded that the family be provided government assistance at the earliest. Meanwhile, Binika BDO Sarat Bag has assured that government facilities will be provided to the family as soon as possible. "We came to know that he is landless. We will inform the Tehsildar and the Collector. A house and other necessary government assistance will be provided to him," said Binika, BDO Sarat Bag.