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Revise compensation to tribals living in tiger habitats in line with Land Act: NCST to govt

NCST's made these recommendations following a meeting with union environment ministry, tribal ministry and ministry of rural development in September.

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The compensation paid to tribal and other forest-dwelling communities displaced from tiger reserves should be revised to bring it in consonance with the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has told the Union environment ministry. The commission has also asked the environment ministry to withdraw a March, 2017, directive of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) which had frozen settlement of tribal rights entitled under Forest Rights Act, 2006.

NCST's made these recommendations following a meeting with union environment ministry, tribal ministry and ministry of rural development in September. A constitutional body, the NCST began reviewing compensation paid to those displaced from tiger reserves this January and had formed an expert group to study the issue. The expert group suggested that the monetary compensation be revised to Rs 15 lakh per family from Rs 10 lakh paid earlier.

However, in August, NCST felt the revised financial package suggested was not enough and thus sought the views of the ministry of rural development. Officials from the ministry of the rural development said that the Land Act is applicable to all Scheduled Tribe persons in Scheduled areas as well as outside of Scheduled areas. Tribal families moved out from tiger zones would be entitled to financial compensation in his new place, along with rights under the Forest Rights Act, the official added, minutes of the September meeting showed.

The NCST recommended that along with financial compensation, the displaced families should benefit from other entitlements mandated under the Land Act, such as housing units, monthly subsistence, one-time resettlement allowance. Besides, the displaced families should also get all the amenities in the new village.

The commission said that in addition to revising compensation package, the environment ministry should also look into simplifying procedures for diversion of forest land for rehabilitation of tribal families moved out from tiger reserves.

The environment ministry stated that the ministry had not finalized a package for re-allocation but the commission asked it to submit an action-taken report and a concurrence would also have to be taken from the finance ministry.

The issue of tribal rights in tiger reserve was originally taken up by NCST after NTCA issued a controversial directive in March 2017, freezing rights of tribal and other forest-dwelling communities in tiger reserves. The NCST also said in its September meeting that the March directive was in violation of Wildlife Protection Act and Forest Rights Act.

What NCST​ Said

  • Along with damages, the displaced families should benefit from other entitlements mandated under the Land Act.
  • This include housing units, monthly subsistence, one-time resettlement allowance. 
  • Besides, the displaced families should also get all the amenities in the new village, NCST said. 
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