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Report on Displacement of Scheduled Tribes and Forest Dwellers due to Project Tiger
Context:
The Rights & Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) released on International Tiger Day, states that Project Tiger will displace at least 550,000 Scheduled Tribes and forest dwellers.
More on News:
- Pre-2021 Displacement: Before 2021, 2,54,794 people were displaced from 50 tiger reserves, averaging around 5,000 per reserve.
- Post-2021 Displacement: Since 2021, the average number of people displaced per reserve has increased to 48,333, marking a 967% rise.
Case Study of Successful Coexistence:
In Karnataka’s Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve, the Soliga tribal people successfully coexist with tigers, with the tiger population increasing from 35 to 68 between 2010 and 2014.
International Tiger Day:
- Every year on July 29, the day is celebrated to highlight the importance of tiger conservation across the globe.
- Theme for 2024 – Call for Action.
- Key Displacement Areas: Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (Rajasthan), Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh), Ranipur Tiger Reserve (Uttar Pradesh), Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan), Srivilliputhur-Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu), Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan).
- Displacement Without Tigers: Five reserves (Sahyadri, Satkosia, Kamlang, Kawal, Dampa) had no tigers but displaced 5,670 tribal families.
- Non-Compliance: Issues with free, prior, and informed consent and inadequate rehabilitation.
- CAG Findings: Criticism for non-compliance with the Forest Rights Act, forced displacement, and uncontrolled commercial and eco-tourism activities in tiger reserves.
Consent and Human Rights Violations:
- Consent Issues: The Forest Rights Act and Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 are bypassed, consent is only sought for relocation after an area is designated as a tiger reserve.
- The 2006 amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 established the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) with defined powers, functions, and reporting requirements.
- Forced Eviction and Violations: Houses are destroyed, communities lose access to traditional resources, and victims face human rights abuses including extra-judicial killings and torture.
- Alleged Poaching Incidents: Suspicion arises over poaching claims in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park, where no forest staffers were reported killed in encounters.
- Commercial and Ecotourism Activities: Uncontrolled commercial activities in core reserve areas occur while indigenous communities are ousted without proper consent and rehabilitation.
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006:
- Recognition of Rights: The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 acknowledges the rights of forest-dwelling tribal communities and traditional forest dwellers to forest resources essential for their livelihood, habitation, and socio-cultural needs.
- Historical Context: Prior to this Act, forest management policies did not recognise the integral relationship between Scheduled Tribes (STs) and forests, including their traditional knowledge and conservation practices.
Objectives:
- Rectify past wrongs against forest-dwelling communities.
- Provide land tenure, livelihood, and food security for forest dwellers.
- Strengthen forest conservation through sustainable use and biodiversity protection by forest rights holders.
About Project Tiger:
- The project was initiated on April 1, 1973, in Jim Corbett National Park under Indira Gandhi’s leadership.
- The project aims to conserve tigers and their habitats in India.
- Success: The tiger population increased from 1,200 in the 1970s to around 5,000.
- Conservation Areas: This category includes around 50 national parks and sanctuaries, such as Jim Corbett, Bandipur, Ranthambore, and Gir.
- Challenges:
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- Poaching: Despite efforts, illegal trading of tiger parts continues.
- Human Displacement: Reserves often displace local communities, leading to conflicts and objections.
- Forest Rights Act: Issues with compliance and displacement without consent.
- Broader Impact: The success of Project Tiger led to updates in the Wildlife Protection Act and initiatives for other endangered species like lions and rhinos.
- Conservation Awareness: Emphasis on protecting a wide range of species and habitats.
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Recent Initiatives for Tiger Conservation in India:
- Bilateral Cooperation for Transboundary Conservation.
- International Recognition: The Pench and Satpura Tiger Reserves received the Tx2 award in 2022-23 for their conservation achievements.
- New Tiger Reserves.
- Six new reserves received Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CA|TS) accreditation.
- International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA): Launched in 2023.
