The Ministry of Tribal Welfare will amend the Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) bill draft, to ‘‘reconcile the concerns raised by forest conservation experts’’. The amended draft will be circulated by October-end and finalised after a workshop in November, according to a decision taken during a meeting of experts with PM Manmohan Singh. The bill, which proposes to give land rights to forest-dwellers, had become a major point of conflict between tribal rights activists and conservationists who apprehend a severe threat to wildlife. ‘‘The PM said that tribal rights should be protected, ensuring at the same time that forest and wildlife are not harmed,’’ said a participant at the first brainstorming session today. Conservationists have been arguing for re-locating tribals and leaving ‘‘some forests as inviolate inhabitation for wildlife’’. ‘‘Tribal activists have in principle conceded to some relocation of tribals. But this cannot be forced and can only be voluntary,’’ said the participant. It was suggested that the relocation be done over five years. Conservationists argued that national parks and protected areas not the sole habitations of wildlife and there is a need to redefine what is ‘‘inviolate’’. Wildlife Crime Bureau For the first time, it seems the much-needed Wildlife Crime Bureau will be a reality soon. On Friday, the PMO reviewed the progress on all seven action points on controlling wildlife crime as suggested by the tiger task force.
