Voluntary Resettlement for Forest Dwellers Matters

Relocation of Forest Dwellers Must Be Voluntary and Environmentally Conscious

Why in the News ?

The Union Tribal Affairs Ministry has released a new policy mandating that the relocation of forest-dwelling communities from tiger reserves must be voluntary, evidence-based, and rights-compliant, ensuring the protection of Forest Rights Act (FRA) provisions and community participation in conservation. The policy also emphasizes the importance of sustainable forest management and environmental impact assessments.

Key Highlights of the New Policy:

• The policy emphasizes voluntary relocation as an exceptional measure, undertaken only after scientific justification and community consent, with a focus on minimizing greenhouse gas emissions from land-use changes.
• Introduces a National Framework for Community-Centred Conservation and Relocation to set procedural standards, accountability, and timelines, incorporating principles of sustainable forest management.
• Proposes a National Database on Conservation-Community Interface to monitor relocation, compensation, and post-relocation outcomes, including the impact on carbon offset projects.
• Recommends independent annual audits of relocation projects to ensure compliance with FRA, Wildlife Protection Act, and human rights norms, as well as environmental impact assessments.
• Encourages in situ development for villages within reserves, including infrastructure upgrades and participation in Tiger Conservation Foundations and Eco Development Committees, with a focus on clean energy transitions.

Addressing Past Concerns and Conflicts

• The policy comes after protests against the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) directive urging States to relocate villages from core tiger areas, which raised concerns about the environmental impact of such relocations.
• Gram Sabhas and forest rights activists raised concerns over forced or non-consensual relocations violating FRA provisions and potentially disrupting local carbon offset mechanisms.
• Around 591 villages and 64,801 families still live in core tiger reserve zones, highlighting the scale of the issue and the need for sustainable solutions that balance conservation with community rights.
• The Tribal Affairs Ministry acknowledged frequent reports of non-implementation of forest rights and lack of due process in relocations, emphasizing the need for comprehensive environmental impact assessments.
• Secretary Vibhu Nayar’s letter called for a collaborative approach between ministries to ensure equitable, dignified, and voluntary relocations, with consideration for the communities’ role in sustainable forest management.