Conservationist organizations across India have called for the withdrawal of what they deem “illegal” relocation of villagers from tiger reserves. This relocation was ordered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) through a notification issued on June 19, 2024.
NTCA’s Relocation Order and the Affected Communities
The notification identified 89,808 families from 848 villages for relocation. These families reside in areas that have been designated as core areas of tiger reserves, and the NTCA directed state authorities to relocate them on a “priority basis” with time-bound action plans.
These communities, largely consisting of Adivasi and other forest-dwelling people, have the right to live in and use forest resources for their livelihood. This is guaranteed by the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 and the Wildlife (Protection) Act (WLPA), 1972.
NTCA’s Mention of Villages Inside Tiger Reserves
In a letter to Bhupinder Yadav, the Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the NTCA stated that 89,808 families currently live in 54 tiger reserves across India, residing within critical tiger habitats.
The letter further noted that 25,007 families from 257 villages have already been relocated since the inception of Project Tiger. However, 64,801 families from 591 villages still remain inside the designated core areas.
Conservationists’ Response to the Relocation Plan
Conservationist groups condemned this relocation effort, stating it was not only unfair but also illegal. According to them, the NTCA’s relocation order violates several laws, including:
- The Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA), 1972 (amended in 2006)
- The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006
- The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (LARR), 2013
- The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
These groups assert that the NTCA’s actions show a disregard for the rights of indigenous and forest-dependent communities.
Largest Displacement Effort in History?
Conservationists expressed concern that the displacement of communities from 19 tiger states could be the largest such exercise ever conducted worldwide in the name of wildlife conservation. They argued that this forced relocation undermines both the legal rights and the cultural fabric of these communities.
Violation of Legal and Constitutional Rights
The conservationists further pointed out that the NTCA’s directive contradicts the provisions in the WLPA, which prohibits interference with the rights of local people, particularly Scheduled Tribes (STs). The forced relocation would lead to social and economic insecurities, conflicts between state authorities and forest-dwelling communities, and the disruption of eco-cultural systems.
They demanded that the Union government issue an advisory to state authorities to recognize and uphold the forest rights of all communities living within tiger reserves. Furthermore, any relocation should be voluntary and based on mutually agreed terms, as stipulated in the WLPA, FRA, and LARR.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the main reason behind the NTCA’s relocation order?
- a) To protect the livelihood of forest dwellers
- b) To clear areas designated as critical tiger habitats
- c) To expand agricultural land for state development
- d) To build new infrastructure projects
Answer: b) To clear areas designated as critical tiger habitats
- Which law guarantees the rights of Adivasi and other forest-dwelling communities to live in and use forest resources?
- a) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- b) Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
- c) Forest Rights Act, 2006
- d) Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Answer: c) Forest Rights Act, 2006
- How many families are still residing inside the core areas of tiger reserves according to the NTCA’s letter?
- a) 25,007 families
- b) 64,801 families
- c) 89,808 families
- d) 1,08,814 families
Answer: b) 64,801 families
- What do the conservationists argue about the NTCA’s relocation order?
- a) It is a necessary step for wildlife conservation
- b) It is fair and legal under Indian law
- c) It violates several legal protections, including the FRA and WLPA
- d) It should be expanded to include more communities
Answer: c) It violates several legal protections, including the FRA and WLPA
- Which act prohibits the NTCA from issuing directives that interfere with the rights of local communities, especially Scheduled Tribes?
- a) Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act
- b) Forest Rights Act, 2006
- c) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- d) Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
Answer: c) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972