NTCA Relocation Powers

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in a recent letter has asked 19 States to prioritise the removal of villagers residing in the core tiger zones.

• NTCA letter has asked the States to expedite the relocation of families from the Core Areas of Tiger Reserve so as to expand the Tiger Conservation Efforts 

Relocation Powers of NTCA

• Volatary: The process of relocation is a voluntary act and NTCA cannot force the relocation of Tribal Communities without settling the rights of forest dwellers first.
• As per The Wildlife Act 1972, core zones are considered as ‘inviolate’ zones, but these must be realised by persuading the residents to “voluntarily relocate” on “mutually agreed terms and conditions”.

Impact of Forced Relocation

• Enforcement Bias and Harassment: NTCA’s directives will put pressure on the State governments to relocate communities resulting in illegal evictions fomenting conflicts between state authorities and the scheduled tribes (STs) and other traditional forest dwellers (OTFDS) living within the tiger reserves. 
• In Violation of Forest Act: NTCA’s relocation orders acts in complete violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, the Forest Rights Act, the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (LARR), and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
• Marginalization: NTCA’s action will lead to further marginalization of these communities by increasing their vulnerabilities such as economic and social insecurities, destitution and disruption of their eco-cultural fabric.
• Sustenance and Sustainablity: The Relocation action will negatively impact both the sustenance of tribal communities as well towards conservation efforts towards biodiversity and wildlife sustainability.
• The displacement of tribal communities from their ancestral lands can disrupt their traditional livelihoods, cultural practices, and community cohesion, leading to adverse social and economic consequences.

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