Kolabira, 12.03 (Fast News Odisha) – The villagers protested against the notice issued by the Tehsildar to change the reserved land for lease in Sodamal Revenue Village under Kolabira Tehsil of Jharsuguda District to non-cultivable land. An application has been made to Kolabira Tehsildar on behalf of OSCDC Bhubaneswar for setting up a cashew orchard on a total of 78 acres and 62 Decimals of plot No. 1091 to 45 Acres 07 Decimals and Plot No. 1094 to 33 Acres 55 Decimals of land. On 17.12.2025, a notice was issued by the Tehsildar for the conversion of the protected land of No. 488 to arable non-cultivable land and a complaint was filed against the change of land classification. A written complaint was filed for complete cancellation of the lease application l According to the villagers there are hundreds of small and big trees on the above land l 90% of the people of Sodamal Panchayat belong to the tribal Harijan community l They support their families by collecting brush, leaves, firewood etc. from the said forest l It is also a walking path of wild elephants l It is also alleged that the village councils and gram sabhas are not organized to change the types of land. The letter stated that on Thursday, 12th, the objection complaint was heard on behalf of Kolabira Tehsildar Manoj Kujur. Hundreds of villagers attended the hearing along with social worker Prem Sagar Dhuria, President of the Integrated Tribal Society Padmini Munda, Editor Tapan Kalo, Dileshwar Kisan, Jaymangal Luhu, Gashiram Luhu, Kunti Kisan Major. The MP expressed support to the villagers. Representative Samarendra Rai attended the hearing and informed the villagers that it is not possible to stop the lease process and he said that he will submit all the papers and reports to the District Magistrate. The villagers including L
Samir Kumar Patel reports from Kolbira, Fast News Odisha.