Ministry asks Maharashtra to address forced eviction concerns of 33 families in Tadoba-Andhari Reserve

The petition by families living in Rantalodhi, Bhadravati tehsil in Chandrapur district, alleged that the forest department was forcing them to relocate in violation of the provisions of Forest Rights Act, Wildlife Protection Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

It sought action against the district administration and the forest department for the alleged violations.

The petition stressed that even though claims under the Forest Rights Act were filed in 2010, they were still pending and, in some cases, rejected and appeals were also pending.

The petition sent to the Tribal Affairs Ministry concerns 33 families, the last few ones that remain in Rantalodhi village. As per the NTCA data, out of 244 families inside Rantalodhi, 211 opted for voluntary relocation while 33 decided to not leave.

The petition also alleged harassment as the anganwadi and school were not functioning.

The ministry pointed out to the state government that the Forest Rights Act recognises the rights of Scheduled Tribes and forest-dwelling communities to occupy forest land, including tiger reserves.

It said the Act stipulates that no one from the STs or forest-dwelling community should be evicted without due recognition and verification of rights.

It asked the state government to take necessary action to mitigate the challenges faced by the community and keep the petitioners informed.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Chandrapur district collector Vinay Gowda said no “coercive measures” were being adopted to evict any family and also denied the claims that essential services were not being provided. Officials of the Tribal Affairs Ministry could not be reached for comment.

Jitendra Ramgaonkar, field director, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, said, almost 85 per cent of families have decided to relocate from the village. “We will not evict anyone without their consent,” he said.