For a long time the significance of this Vizag Region, was apparent to us. It needed, as usual, a calamity to compel us to enter and respond to the clamor of villages there. The Region includes the whole Vizag dt, with some 4.2 million inhabitants, the 3rd most important harbour of India, and the northern link to Orissa.

The Socio cultural character of the region is specially determined by the contrast ( as in the Rajahmundry Region) between the Western hilly tribal "agency" Villages, and the Eastern lower-level coast-linked villages. The division is clear-cut by the National Highway (NS). The North-South division is also market by the vital Railway Junction of Walter-Vizag where the U-boat and Naval-base operate, side by side with an intensive export-import trade, and in the shadow of the gaint Steel plant with its auxiliaries.

Tribal villages in the west are more mixed with other groups here than else where. They are idealogically situated at the floor of green hills, or on less accessible hill tops. The 40-50 odd fisher villages have been pushed further away from the central harbour in the last 10 years, but survive some how, in poverty.

The environment is characterised by the predominantly conal type of leaf huts, the same for cattle and for humans. A bunch of bamboos, the leaves of some 100 palmyrah trees, and a lot of barkrope suffice for a house, plastered with mud all around. The hills give them some sustenance, but only for few months. The remaining time they try to earn a daily wage on the valley - fields. For women there is an additional income from the skilful large leaf-plate gathering and fabrication.

Large-scale fruit-tree plantation has been taken up in recent years by Govenment and voluntary agencies alike, on a fruit sharing basis. But the lure of the city in times of scarcity and insecurity demands protective and progressive assistance: so then, VRO!

The importance of this village-region cannot be underestimated. The unexpected rapid break-through we made there with the help of the Belgian Government, has already shown how value-villages can still be moved to lead other villages. Other vol-agencies begin to look for us and follow us.

As yet we do not experience any special problems: may be because of valuable terrain preparation by Wg.Commander Ramana, who lend us his health centre as a service base or because of the real dire need of the people. But in the coastal region, where prawn factories again have cropped up in a terrible hurry to beat the Supreme Court against them, we expect a longer struggle.

HISTORY OF THE REGION

1994-95: The initial survey was made of villages in the 2 mandals, with the help of Wg. Comm. Ramana, under the stimulation of the RAjahmundry Reg. Coord. Vijaya Kumar. After surveying some 25 villages, who were tested and tried, we initially took up 7 villages.

1. Dharmavaram
2. G.Cheedupally
3. Chilkavanipalem
4. Gadabpalem
5. Z.bennavaram
6. Mulakalampalli
7. Pedimpalem

1995: Under an agreement with ABOS ( a Belgian Govt. Dept.) we started the first constructions and within the space of a year

1995-86: The first 2 villages were inaugurated. Soon to be followed by other 4 villages. The Regional base office was extended to accommodate more people and volunteers.

1996: After settlement of land-issues, and training additional volunteers, 2 more villages were started and before the end of 1996, 2 villages were inaugurated.

A pride really in our crown, becuse of their color and solidarity and beauty. In Chilakavaripalem village the largest ever found bamboo (25m) became the flag post.

1997: Inspite of delay of funds, and of adverse weather the work intensified, and we look forward to completing the last 4 villages before the year end.

Meanwhile the survey has intensified also of the eastern part of the region in the fishermen villages. Upto date we have already visited 58 villages, tested 6 villages and started material gathering in 2 villages.