KARWAR: Joida taluk in Uttara Kannada district presents a picture of neglect. This was revealed at a meeting of the zilla panchayat in Joida recently.

The taluk is a hilly region covering an area of 1,890 sq. km. With 86 per cent of the area under forest, the taluk is endowed with rich biodiversity. In fact, Joida is home to a variety of wildlife. Gund region in the taluk is considered a natural habitat for elephants. Anasi National Park is a part of Joida taluk. The Kali originates here and flows through the taluk before its drains into the sea at Karwar. Supa reservoir, the lifeline of the Kali Hydroelectric Project, is located at Ganeshgudi in the taluk. Joida also provides a major share of forest revenue to the State.

Kunubi community

Despite these facts, Joida remains one of the most backward taluks in the state. Kunubis, a tribal community, form a major chunk of the total population of 49,000 in the taluk. Kunubis are basically forest dwellers. Agriculture is the main occupation of people in Joida taluk.

People in the taluk are leading a miserable life owing to lack of infrastructure. There are only 64 small-scale industries in the entire taluk providing employment to only 300 people. Most villages in the taluk remain isolated owing to lack of communication facilities. People have to trek 30-40 km to reach the nearest health centre in most villages.

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