What’s the plan to relocate forest tribes?, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has created a new policy framework for relocating forest-dwelling communities from tiger reserves.
• The policy emphasizes relocation as a last resort, prioritizing the rights of Scheduled Tribes under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006.
• It proposes a National Framework for Community-Centred Conservation and Relocation and a National Database on Conservation-Community Interface (NDCCI).
• The framework addresses concerns about the non-implementation of the FRA in tiger reserves, following protests against a National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) directive in June 2024.

Detailed Insights:

• The policy framework was created in response to representations from state governments and Gram Sabhas regarding the non-implementation of the FRA in protected areas.
• The framework suggests annual independent audits of relocation projects to assess compliance with the FRA, the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972, and human rights standards.
• Consent for relocation must be verifiable at both the Gram Sabhas and individual household levels, ensuring community rights are protected.
• The policy reiterates that forest communities can exercise their rights under the FRA to remain in their traditional habitats, unless there is demonstrable ecological necessity.
• As of August 2025, the Environment Ministry reported that 5,166 families from 56 villages in seven states have been relocated from tiger reserves since January 2022.
• The Tribal Affairs Ministry seeks collaboration with the Environment Ministry to ensure relocations are voluntary, scientifically justified, and compliant with rights and equity.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006: Legislation that recognizes the rights of forest-dwelling communities to land and resources.
• Gram Sabha: A village assembly consisting of all adults residing in the village.
• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA): A statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change responsible for tiger conservation.