PANAJI
As Goa government eyes “voluntary rehabilitation” of hamlets/human habitations in the protected areas, the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) has decided to study global best practices on the relocation of communities located within sanctuaries or national parks and draft nation-wide guidelines.
The State government had in April, directed the Forest Department to identify isolated hamlets/human habitations in protected areas but deprived of civic amenities, for “voluntary rehabilitation” by “surrendering their rights or claims” on the sanctuary or national park area.
The Standing Committee of NBWL is considering extending the voluntary relocation policy, currently implemented in Tiger Reserve core areas, to communities in critical biodiversity-rich areas, buffer zones, and wildlife corridors to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and enhance conservation.
Accordingly, the Committee during its meeting in August decided that a study on the global best practices on the relocation of communities from Protected Areas and works done, policy and programmes in place regarding relocation would be undertaken.
“The main aim is to mitigate human-wildlife conflict,” the committee said.
In Goa, the Forest Department is also examining the practices adopted by the Centre across with regards to relocation of habitats from Tiger Reserve areas.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane both have expressed the government’s intention to relocate all such human habitation outside the wildlife sanctuaries and the national park. However, the relocation should be voluntary and dwellers must relinquish their claims/rights on such protected areas.
“The department is currently working to identify isolated hamlets or habitations of people residing in protected areas which are deprived of civic amenities like electricity and connections, road connectivity, etc so that those habitations can be shifted outside the protected areas on the revenue land, where all such amenities can be provided to them as proposed by the government,” an official said adding “it is not going to be an easy task”.
The official also said the department is currently working on settling forest claims under the Wildlife Protection Act, which is mandatory before issuing final notification for the six protected areas in the State.
