‘Procedural lapses' alleged in relocation project in Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary

The Hindu

15-05-2025

Concerns have been raised on the 'procedural lapses' in the 'voluntary' relocation of 57 families from Talewadi village in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS), even as the Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre is slated to distribute cheques to the applicants, on Saturday.
BWS in Belagavi district abuts the Kali Tiger Reserve and is surrounded by Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary as well as Mahadai Wildlife Sanctuary of Goa, and it is recognised as an important tiger corridor.
Though the relocation is stated to be voluntary, Raghavendra, an RTI activist from Dharwad, has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, highlighting 'procedural lapses' in complying with the law.
Claiming that consent was not obtained from the gram sabha, the activist said that it was in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Though the Forest Department did hold a gram sabha meeting to obtain its consent in the first week of May, other activists said the gram sabha meeting should precede project approval by the district-level committee (DLC). 'It cannot be a post-approval exercise to show compliance with the law,' according to the activists.
It was also pointed out that the gram panchayat Nersa had issued NoC to the villagers instead of conducting the gram sabha, which, according to the activists, amounted to flouting the law.
'Although the NTCA guidelines mandate that the free and informed consent of the gram sabha is mandatory prior to placing the relocation proposals before the district-level committee, it was approved without any consent, and even funds were released. The gram sabha meeting cannot be held after the DLC approval and would be challenged legally in the appropriate forum,' said the activists.
Meanwhile, a release from Eshwar Khandre stated that villagers have voluntarily agreed to relocate as they were living under constant fear of wild animals.
He said each family will receive a cheque of ₹10 lakh in the first phase of distribution on May 17, and once these families vacate the forests, the remaining ₹5 lakh will be disbursed, subject to verification and confirmation by the Forest Department.
The Minister said that he had personally visited the area during the Assembly session held in Belagavi in December and had interacted with the forest dwellers. They are deprived of basic amenities like roads, water, and electricity and hence the voluntary relocation exercise was being carried out. Relocation of a few other villages will also be taken up in case the locals volunteer for it, he added.