Thousands of tribal people living in India’s tiger reserves are protesting against a government order that speeds up their relocation from these areas. The tribal communities believe their rights under the Forest Rights Act are being ignored, and they plan to gather in Delhi to demand justice for their livelihoods and traditions, which are closely linked to the forests.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) issued a directive on June 19, asking forest officials to expedite the relocation of 64,801 families from 591 villages in the core areas of 54 tiger reserves. The NTCA expressed concerns about the slow progress of village relocations, stating that it is critical for tiger conservation.
“We appreciate the prioritization of this issue and hope for a timeline for smooth relocations,” the NTCA’s letter stated.
Gobindsagar Bhardwaj, the NTCA Member Secretary, said that the relocation is voluntary.
“The letter is part of a routine exercise, and the relocation of villages from tiger reserves is entirely voluntary. There is no confusion,” he said.
Tiger reserves have two zones: the core area, which is strictly protected for tiger conservation, and the buffer zone, where some human activities are allowed. Tribal communities living in core areas argue that they have lived in harmony with nature for generations, relying on the forests for their culture, livelihoods, and traditions.
The Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 grants these communities rights to access and manage forest resources, but they feel that the slow implementation of this act makes them vulnerable to forced eviction. Community leaders plan to rally in Delhi in October-November to demand quick implementation of the FRA and the cancellation of the NTCA’s order.
The Community Network Against Protected Areas (CNAPA) has protested in several tiger reserves, including Rajaji in Uttarakhand and Kaziranga in Assam, against the NTCA’s directive. On October 3, CNAPA made several demands, including the retraction of the June 19 order and a stop to family evictions from tiger reserves across India.
Seemanchal, a resident of Lormi village in the Achanakmar Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh, said the NTCA’s order could affect around 3,000 people from five Baiga community villages.
“There were 25 villages in the reserve. Six were relocated in 2013-14, but their situation worsened. They are now daily wage labourers living in terrible conditions,” he said.
He added that if the forest dwellers stay, their rights will be restricted—they won’t be able to graze cattle, collect water, or gather forest products like Tendu leaves and Mahua flowers.
“If they are relocated, they will face unfamiliar and exploitative working conditions,” he said.
Caroline Pearce, director of the UK-based NGO Survival International, reacted to the NTCA order and the subsequent protests.
“These evictions are unlawful according to both national and international law, and they don’t work. The forest, the indigenous people, and the tigers can’t survive without one another,” she said.
