Inadequate funds hurdle in relocating villagers from tiger reserves
While the Centre is pushing to relocate villagers from the core zones of tiger reserves, the funds allocated to Project Tiger and Project Elephant are insufficient to even meet the basic needs of these reserves.
The issue was raised during a meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) by BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who is also a member of the authority. He emphasised the need to increase the budgets of both Project Tiger and Project Elephant. The current allocation of Rs 290 crore for FY 2025-26 is inadequate.
Highlighting the Centre’s Voluntary Village Relocation Programme (VVRP), Rudy pointed out that the scheme requires Rs 9,000 crore to relocate around 60,000 families from core areas of tiger reserves.
The VVRP aims to relocate communities from the core areas of tiger reserves to facilitate wildlife conservation while ensuring the welfare of the relocated families. Those opting for relocation are offered incentives, including a monetary package of Rs 15 lakh per family, with each adult counted as a separate family unit. The rehabilitation package includes agricultural land, housing support, relocation incentives and basic sanitation facilities.
According to the minutes of the NTCA meeting accessed by The Tribune, “He (Rudy) strongly emphasised the need for enhancing budget allocation under Project Tiger, as the existing budget is insufficient even for routine activities of tiger reserves. He stated that voluntary village relocation alone would require Rs 9,000 crore, which must be provided in a phased manner for nearly 600 villages comprising more than 60,000 families.”
However, several irregularities have surfaced in the name of relocation. In Karnataka’s Kali Tiger Reserve, forest encroachers reportedly received compensation, and villagers from the buffer zone were relocated — violating NTCA guidelines.
“Although rehabilitation is a win-win situation for both people and wildlife, it is crucial that statutory provisions are followed and not overridden by officials’ whims. For example, in Kali Tiger Reserve, relocation has largely occurred in buffer villages, clearly violating NTCA guidelines. Moreover, over 150 families who have been relocated are forest encroachers — this amounts to a serious blunder and a violation of the Forest Conservation Act. Action must be initiated not just against field directors, but also against district collectors,” said Ram, an environmentalist who closely monitors the relocation programme.
Last year, forest dwellers in several tiger reserves, including Rajaji (Uttarakhand), Nagarhole (Karnataka), Udanti-Sitanadi and Achanakmar (Chhattisgarh) and Kaziranga (Assam), protested against the relocation drive. Many alleged they were being forced out, even though the law mandates that relocation must be voluntary. Rudy also urged the NTCA to establish a national-level veterinary and health centre for tigers.
“He also suggested hiring rescue vehicles for tiger management across the country. Additionally, he requested the Chair to appeal to Members of Parliament from constituencies with tiger reserves to contribute Rs 20 lakh from their Local Area Development Fund to support tiger conservation,” the meeting minutes stated.
India