MoEF plans to uproot tribals to save tigers

Jun 30, 2010 - Rashme Sehgal |

New Delhi

The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has beefed up a detailed plan to relocate 1,000 primitive Chenchu tribal families from the core area of the Nagarjungsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve.

The reserve is home to 82 tigers and tiger experts have been pressing for the need to create an undisturbed forest base for these animals. The tribals are likely to be relocated to the fringe areas of the sanctuary and every family member above 18 years of age is being offered Rs 10 lakh for the relocation. Anthropologists question whether these hunter gatherer Chenchus who do not practise agriculture will be able to adjust to these changed circumstances. Environmentalist Shekar Dattarati who has personally interviewed many Chenchus, pointed out, “They do not want to remain marooned inside a forest with no prospects. Nor do they want their children to suffer as they have done in the past.”
But he did admit, “Resettlement is a sensitive topic. The Chenchus worship the tiger and are known not to attack it. Keen to utilise their tracking and protecting skills, the MoEF has hired 400 young Chenchu boys as forest guards.”
Minister Jairam Ramesh confirmed, “The younger generation must be given a stake in conserving the forests. Relocation will not be forced down people. Rather, our aim will be to create a consensus on this move.”
The other tribe living in the forests are the Lambadas who practice agriculture right in the heart of the tiger reserve.
Lambadas are migrated from Mahrashtra because Andhra Pradesh was the only state that offered them ST status.

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