The district administration has decided to expand Operation Smile, a project launched to secure land ownership rights for the Koraga community, to cover all Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. Led by District Collector K. Inbasekar, the initiative aims to resolve long-standing land-related issues and ensure unhindered access of ST communities to government welfare schemes.
Special review meetings were held in all the taluks to review the progress of the project. The Tribal Planned Development Department and the Revenue Department are jointly overseeing the initiative. The total number of ST residents in the district is 83,867, of which 981 people are already included as beneficiaries under Operation Smile.
In Kasaragod and Manjeswaram taluks, 1,760 people from the Koraga community have been covered so far. Land surveys were conducted for all 539 families. Of these, 155 families have already received title deeds, while land belonging to 158 families has been surveyed and valued. 147 families applied for land titles and certified copies were issued to 17 beneficiaries.
Project activities are currently underway on 478 acres of land in 59 Koraga colonies in Kasaragod and Manjeswaram taluks. Officials said once land ownership is formally established, beneficiaries will have access to all government benefits, including housing programs, without procedural hurdles.
Published – 16 Jan 2026 21:06 IST