Displacement concerns mount as Madhya Pradesh plans new tiger reserve and corridors

By Rajkumar Sinha*
In Madhya Pradesh these days, preparations are underway to make the Ratapani Sanctuary, located near the capital Bhopal, the 8th Tiger Reserve, for which a proposal for an area of 2170 square kilometers has been prepared. This includes the forest areas of Sehore and Obaidullaganj in the state. Within this, ten thousand families reside in 32 villages. On the other hand, it is proposed to create corridors between different 'Tiger Reserves', which could lead to the displacement of many villages. This corridor will connect the Kanha to Pench Tiger Reserve, Pench to Satpura Tiger Reserve, and Bandhavgarh to Sanjay Tiger Reserve.
Across the 53 Tiger Reserves in 19 states of the country, the displacement of 89808 families from 848 villages in the 'core areas' of the 'Tiger Reserves' is proposed, most of whom are from tribal communities. So far, 25007 families from 257 villages have already been removed. On June 19, 2024, the 'National Tiger Conservation Authority' (NTCA) of the Ministry of Environment issued an order. This includes instructions to the officials of all states to relocate the 64801 families from the 591 villages present in the 'core areas' of the 'Tiger Reserves' declared in the state on a priority basis, and a 'action plan' and regular progress reports have been sought on this.
These steps taken by the 'NTCA' regarding displacement completely disregard the law and the frameworks and spirit of conservation, and violate numerous related laws. These include the 'Forest Rights Act - 2006,' 'Wildlife Protection Act - 1972' and amended 2006, 'The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act - 2013,' 'PESA Act - 1996,' and the 'Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act - 1989.' This displacement directed by the 'NTCA' will be the largest displacement in the history of wildlife conservation in the name of conservation.
The 'Project Tiger' was launched on April 7, 1973. Initially, 9 'tiger sanctuaries' were created across the country under this. Today, their number has increased to 53. The 'Wildlife Protection Act - 1972' was amended to provide for the provisions related to the formation of the 'NTCA'. Following these amendments, under Section 38V(4)(ii) of the 'Wildlife Protection Act - 1972' and amended 2006, it was made mandatory to notify a 'buffer zone' in each 'Tiger Reserve'.
The 'buffer zone' is the area surrounding the 'Critical Tiger Habitat' (endangered wildlife habitat area) or 'core area', where fewer restrictions are required compared to the 'core area' and is essential for the integrity of the 'Critical Tiger Habitat'. Clause 4(2) of the 'Forest Rights Act - 2006' provides that the establishment of critical tiger habitats will be done by the state government through notification based on consultation with an expert committee constituted on this subject.
The establishment of these areas is done for the purpose of tiger conservation based on scientific facts and objectives. Before issuing the notification of these areas, it is necessary to ensure that the rights of tribals or forest dwellers are kept free from any kind of impact. In the 'buffer zone', it is necessary to promote the objectives of coexistence of wildlife and human activities along with the livelihood, development, and socio-cultural rights of the people. The boundaries of the 'buffer zone' are determined on a scientific and objective basis through consultation with the concerned Gram Sabha and the expert committee constituted for this purpose.
In case of conflict between local communities and wildlife in 'protected areas' (sanctuaries and national parks), the stages of the entire process for declaring 'Critical Wildlife Habitat' within the 'protected area' have been determined. Under this, first, full recognition of forest rights is given. An expert committee with proper representation is constituted, which also includes a representative of the local community. This committee adopts an open process of deliberation. A scientific and impartial basis is used individually for each case.
Before declaring a 'Critical Wildlife Habitat', it is necessary to establish the irreversible damage to wildlife and the threat to their existence. If there is a collective threat in the area, coexistence is tested through amendments to 'Community Forest Resource Management Plans' or, if necessary, through amendments to the rights given in the plans or the ways to implement them. If coexistence is possible, a long-term co-management system is created. If coexistence is not possible, a comprehensive rehabilitation package is prepared for the concerned parts, which is in accordance with the existing laws and policies and has the full consent of the concerned Gram Sabhas.
Before the declaration of a 'Tiger Reserve', emphasis is being placed on relocating villages by ignoring all the above procedures. Madhya Pradesh has Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench, Sanjay-Dubri, Satpura, Panna, and Veerangana Durgavati 'Tiger Reserves', which is more than any other state. Out of these 7 'Tiger Reserves', 18626 families from 165 villages have been notified, out of which 9058 families from 109 villages have been displaced. Now, 9568 families from 56 villages remain to be displaced.
The assurances given to the displaced families have not been fulfilled. The villages of Sakai, Jhalai, Naya Mana, and Khamda in the Satpura Tiger Reserve were resettled near Jamani, but there is a crisis even for drinking water here. This year, on 'International Tiger Day', a report titled 'India's Tiger Reserves: Tribals Out, Tourists Welcome' released by a human rights group based in New Delhi stated that at least 5.5 lakh people from Scheduled Tribe and other forest-dwelling families will be displaced due to Project Tiger. Before 2021, the number of people displaced from 50 'tiger reserves' was 254794.
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Rajkumar Sinha is a senior activist of the 'Bargi Dam Displaced Persons Association'

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