2. Introduction

 Historically, many protected areas were created as recreational areas
for urban elites.
 Protected areas now are also portrayed inter-alia as a means of
poverty alleviation and sustaining livelihoods of resource dependent
community.
 Effective protected area management requires active participation of
local communities.
 Wildlife conservation is invariably in „conflict‟ with economic
development
 Establishment of protected areas/ conservation areas often leads to
dis-enfranchisement of local communities from land and resources.
 Unfortunately, many of the above assumptions are not backed with
scientific facts/ evidence and most of the discussion is largely
„emotive‟.

3. Conservation Goals Vs Societal
Goals

Conservation Goals
 Protect wild species &
habitats
 Maintain ecosystem
services
Societal Goals
 Alleviate poverty
 Eradicate disease
 Maintain social equity
 Enhance economic
growth
HUMAN WELL BEING

4. What is Conservationinduced displacement?

 Conservation-induced displacement is the
involuntary restriction of access to legally designated
parks and protected areas, resulting in adverse
impacts on the livelihoods of the displaced persons
(Cernea, 2006, World Bank, 2002).
 “Displacement that includes individuals or
communities who, through park creation or
management, may lose land, means of livelihood,
social support system or ways of life (ADB, 2002)‟.

5. Tiger Reserve Network &
Social Equity

 India has set-up a network of 39 tiger reserves covering
455580 sq.km
 India‟s tiger population is 1411 (range 1165 to 1657), WII,
2006
 CRITICAL TIGER HABITAT : “Critical tiger habitat” means
such areas where it has been specifically and clearly
established case by case, on the basis of scientific and
objective criteria, that such areas are required to be kept
“inviolate” for the purpose of wildlife conservation as may
be determined and notified by the Central Government
after open process of consultation.

6. Government Measures

 Creation of „inviolate spaces‟ for the conservation of
key wildlife species is mandatory as per the Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972 and Scheduled Tribes and
Other Traditional Forest Dweller (Recognition of
Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
 The Forest Rtight Act, 2006; An Act to recognize and
vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in
forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other
traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in
such forests for generation but whose rights could
not be recorded

7. (contd.)

 The Resettlement Agenda/Process; This necessitates
relocating people living within such critical areas
after payment of compensation for right settlement
and relocation package.
 The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA),
Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government
of India has formulated relocation / rehabilitation
packages for people living inside core / critical areas
of Tiger Reserves in the country, in consonance with
the “National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy,
2007”.

8. (contd.)

(District-Level Implementing Committee for ensuring
convergence of other sectors)
1. District Collector - Chairman
2. CEO – Member
3. Representative officials from - Members
PWD, Social Welfare, Tribal Department,
Health Department, Agriculture Department,
Education Department, Power and Irrigation
Departments
4. Deputy Director of the Tiger Reserve/PA - Member Secretary

9. Bori village before relocation
Fertile agricultural lands given to
the villagers
House construction work is completed
in New Bori village
Sprinkler provided for irrigation

10. Aanganwadi Center
School Building
Community Hall
Teaching in progress in the
school

11. Conclusion

 Resettlement process should ensure human dignity,
aspirations and culture of local communities.
 Good faith negotiations and prior-informed consent
and effective implementation are essential
ingredients to ensure a ‘win-win’ outcome of the
resettlement process
 ‘Hand-holding’ for extended period(s) and
engagement of credible civil society organizations
in the resettlement process has beneficial outcomes.

12. (contd.)

 Abundant caution, adequate oversight, constant
independent monitoring and evaluation of
resettlement process is critically needed for achieving
success.
 Relocating 762 villages and 48549 families from ‘core
critical tiger habitats’ in 39 tiger reserves in India is
undoubtedly a tall order. The National Tiger
Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Government
of India are committed to provide upto Rs. 4000 crores
or US $ 800 million to ensure the continued existence
of wild tiger populations and well-being of local
communities.

13. THANK YOU

