Paradip, April 7: The state government has accepted the plea of the farmers of Satabhaya village to continue farming in the forest area, as they have occupied it since long.

This initiative is a part of the state's first rehabilitation project for those affected by sea erosion.

The process of relocating the people from Satabhaya gram panchayat is yet to begin, as the proposed resettlement colony at Bagapatia, which is 8km form the village, has been categorised as a ringed out hamlet within the Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary limits.

The state board for wildlife has decided not to acquire the farming land from the villagers. Even after their rehabilitation, the villagers can continue farming in the forest area, as they have been doing for decades, said a wildlife official.

After the relocation, the village would come under the state forest department. The patch would be taken up for mangrove regeneration programme. However, the farming land will be excluded from the programme, according to the board's decision, said a forest department official.

The board has sent the proposal for excluding the site from the sanctuary limits to the National Wildlife Board. Mandatory legal clearance from the national board is awaited, said the forest department official.

"Construction of roads, pucca houses and rebuilding of the low-lying portions of the project site are under way. The project suffered from a minor setback over the forestland issue. However, the work is in progress as the forest department has cleared the project. The national wildlife board's clearance is expected to come shortly," said Kendrapara collector Pramod Kumar Das.

A 132.97-acre patch has been identified for the rehabilitation project. Orders under Section 7 of the Land Acquisition Act have been issued for acquisition of private land. Out of the total project area, the government owns 84.47 acres. The rest of the land has private owners. Survey and settlement of the identified land is complete. The majority of the landowners have been disbursed with compensation. The villagers will get land records of rights in a phased manner, said an official.

"Satabhaya village is not safe for living any more. The seawater is making its way into the village every day. Plan to rehabilitate the affected families stays on top of our agenda," said Das.