Karnataka - Mysore   

Concern over revised guidelines on habitats

MYSORE: The revised guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests on February 7, 2011 for identification and notification of “critical wildlife habitats” as has been provided in the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, have led to apprehension among tribal community in the State.

Tribal leaders are of the opinion that the revised guidelines defeat the very sprit of the Forest Rights Act and jeopardise the interests of tribal people. The guidelines enable the Forest Department to declare an area critical wildlife habitat, displacing tribal families, without the gram sabha's permission. The guidelines are nothing but a mockery of the Act which extends tribal people the right over the land and the right to use forest produce, the tribal leaders said.

Longstanding demand

A communication from Prakriti Srivatsa, Deputy Inspector-General (Wildlife), to the chief wildlife wardens of all States and Union Territories, says that “there has been longstanding demand from various quarters to amend or revise the guidelines for notification of the habitats. The Ministry, after considering the matter, decided to revise the guidelines to facilitate the State or Union Territory governments in identification and notification of the habitats.” A more “practical approach” has been adopted for identification and subsequent notification of the habitats to facilitate the State and Union Territory concerned to send time-bound proposals in this regard, according to the letter. To declare an area as critical wildlife habitat, Section 2 (b) of the Act provides for an open consultative process by an expert committee. The committee has to “sensitise” the gram sabha members and individuals regarding the “benefits” of the rehabilitation package. The gram sabha has to pass a resolution certifying that in areas included within the proposed critical wildlife habitat, the process of recognition and vesting the rights has been completed.

‘Death knell'

The revised guidelines sound the death knell for over 3.5 lakh tribal people in 1,500 haadi and podus (settlements) in nine districts of the State, Srikanth, coordinator of Development Through Education (DEED), said.

Budakattu Krishikara Sangha, DEED and Nagarahole Tribal Rights Restoration Committee have decided to appeal to the Prime Minister to withdraw the revised guidelines, which, he said, were detrimental to the tribal community.

C. Made Gowda, secretary, Jilla Budakattu Abhivruddhi Sangha, which is fighting against eviction of tribal people from the BRT Tiger Reserve, said the sangha would call a meeting soon to discuss the revised guidelines. “The revised guidelines are an attempt to subvert the Forest Rights Act. We will certainly fight against this injustice.”

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