Krishnagiri Palm Climbers Petition District Collector to End Tamil Nadu's 37-Year Toddy Ban
In a significant move to protect their traditional livelihood, palm climbers in Krishnagiri district filed a formal petition with the district collector's office on Tuesday. The petition urgently demands that the Tamil Nadu government lift the longstanding ban on toddy, which has been prohibited across the state since 1987. This action highlights the deepening crisis faced by thousands of families dependent on palm tapping.
Protest and Demands for Livelihood Protection
Organized under the banner of the Salem Zone Coconut Palm Tree Climbers Welfare Association, the palm climbers staged a sit-in protest directly in front of the Krishnagiri district collectorate. Their primary demand is clear: no restrictions should be placed on toddy tapping, a practice integral to their economic survival. The protesters emphasized that the state government must take immediate steps to safeguard their livelihoods by removing toddy from the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act.
Furthermore, they called for toddy to be officially classified as a food item, aligning with the guidelines established under the National Food Security Act. This reclassification, they argue, would legally recognize toddy's nutritional and cultural significance, thereby shielding climbers from punitive measures.
Impact of the Ban and Police Harassment
The workers detailed the severe consequences of the ban, stating that thousands of families have lost their primary source of income due to continuous police threats against extracting palm neera and toddy from palms. They reported that law enforcement officials routinely intimidate climbers, disrupting their work and jeopardizing their financial stability.
In their petition, the climbers made specific demands to curb this harassment:
- No cases should be registered against palm climbers who use palm neera and toddy for food purposes.
- Police must cease summoning climbers to stations for harassment.
- Their personal belongings and professional equipment should not be confiscated unlawfully.
These measures, they assert, are essential to restoring dignity and security to their profession, which has been marginalized for decades under the prohibition.
