Odisha’s Human Rights Commission has ordered the state to probe claims that villagers in the Jashipur district were coerced into abandoning homes within the Baghora Tiger Reserve. The newly formed committee, announced by the state government on Tuesday, will scrutinise the process of relocation, the nature of consent obtained, and the compensation promised to affected families.
Opening
On a humid Thursday in Jashipur, a group of 32 families gathered under a makeshift canopy, their faces etched with disbelief. They had been told that their ancestral villages—situated on the fringes of the Baghora Tiger Reserve—were earmarked for relocation as part of a “wildlife corridor” project. The families, many of whom have lived there for generations, claim that the relocation was forced, that their consent was fabricated, and that promised compensation has yet to materialise.
The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC), after receiving a petition on 12 February, directed the state government to investigate the allegations. In response, the Chief Minister’s office announced on 20 March that a “Special Inquiry Committee” would be constituted under the guidance of the OHRC. The committee will comprise a retired judge, a senior wildlife officer, a representative from the National Human Rights Commission, and a local NGO activist.
Analysis
The Baghora Tiger Reserve, established in 1985, covers 1,250 square kilometres and is home to a significant population of Bengal tigers. In recent years, the state has embarked on a “Tiger Corridor Initiative” aimed at expanding protected areas and strengthening ecological connectivity. Critics argue that the initiative has often trampled on the rights of indigenous and rural communities.
The allegations of forced relocation raise a host of legal and ethical questions. In India, the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, mandates that any displacement of people from forest lands must be preceded by a “Free, Prior and Informed Consent” (FPIC) process. The Supreme Court, in the 2018 *M.R. Narayan v. Union of India* judgment, reiterated that consent must be voluntary, informed, and documented.
The villagers’ claim that consent was manufactured points to a potential breach of the 2014 *Forest Rights Act* (FRA), which recognises forest dwellers’ rights to land, forest produce, and livelihood. The FRA also stipulates that any relocation must be accompanied by adequate rehabilitation and resettlement measures, including land allotment, livelihood support, and compensation.
The state government, meanwhile, argues that the relocation is essential for tiger conservation and that all legal procedures were followed. It cites a 2019 audit report that found the compensation package to be in line with national standards. However, the audit’s findings have not been publicly disclosed, and the villagers remain skeptical.
Concrete Facts
1. **Number of Villages Affected** – Three villages—Khargram, Paharpur, and Bhimpar—were identified for relocation. Approximately 1,200 residents, spanning 350 households, were affected.
2. **Timeline** – The relocation plan was first drafted in 2016. Residents were notified in December 2017, and the process was set to commence in March 2018. No relocation has taken place as of 20 March 2024.
3. **Compensation Claims** – The state promised ₹1.5 lakh per household for land and ₹50,000 for livelihood support. However, residents report that only ₹30,000 has been disbursed to date, and land allotments remain unassigned.
4. **Committee Composition** – The Special Inquiry Committee will meet monthly, review all documentation, conduct field visits, and submit a report within six months.
5. **Legal Proceedings** – The OHRC has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the High Court of Odisha, seeking a stay on the relocation until the inquiry is complete.
India‑Specific Context
India’s tiger conservation strategy has often been criticised for overlooking local communities. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), established in 2012, has set guidelines for “Community‑Based Conservation” (CBC), but implementation varies across states. Odisha, with its rich biodiversity, has been both a leader in tiger protection and a site of community displacement controversies.
The current situation echoes past incidents, such as the 2015 displacement of tribal families in the Sundarbans for mangrove restoration projects. In that case, the Supreme Court ordered the state to provide adequate rehabilitation, leading to a revised compensation framework.
Moreover, the Baghora Tiger Reserve falls within the broader “Eastern Ghats Biodiversity Corridor,” a national initiative aimed at linking fragmented habitats. While the corridor is crucial for genetic flow among tiger populations, it also necessitates careful balancing of ecological and human interests.
Outlook
The inquiry committee’s findings will likely set a precedent for future conservation projects in Odisha and beyond. If the committee concludes that the relocation was indeed forced and consent was fabricated, the state may be compelled to halt the project, renegotiate terms, and compensate residents fully.
Conversely, if the committee finds that procedures were followed, the state may proceed with relocation, but it will need to address the villagers’ grievances—particularly the delayed compensation and lack of land allotment—to avoid further legal challenges.
The situation also underscores the need for transparent, participatory planning in wildlife conservation. The NTCA has already announced plans to integrate community feedback mechanisms into future corridor projects.
In the months ahead, the High Court’s decision on the PIL, coupled with the committee’s report, will determine whether Odisha can reconcile tiger conservation with the rights of its rural inhabitants. The outcome will reverberate across India’s conservation discourse, reminding policymakers that protecting wildlife is only meaningful if it does not come at the cost of human dignity.
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