Hans News Service Bhubaneswar

TheOdisha government on Thursday constituted a high-level inquiry committee to examine various allegations surrounding the village relocation process in the Satkosia Tiger Reserve located in Anugola district.

Acting on a February 9 directive from the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC), the State government formed a five-member panel chaired by Arabinda Kumar Padhee, the Additional Chief Secretary of Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management department.

As per a notification issued by the Forest, Environment and Climate Change department on August 17, the committee also includes Principal Secretary of Forest, Environment & Climate Change department Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, Principal Secretary of Law department Pabitra Mohan Samal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Odisha government for ST & SC Development, and Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare department B Parameswaran.

In accordance with the OHRC order, the State government also selected retired IFS officer Anup Nayak, former member secretary of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) as an independent expert having knowledge of wildlife law, the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and rehabilitation policy. The committee has been entrusted with examining the entire village-wise relocation process relating to the Satkosia Tiger Reserve, except Raiguda village.

As part of its terms of reference, it will examine and verify compliance with applicable statutory provisions, including the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and relevant guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority. The committee will also identify cases of wrongful inclusion or exclusion of beneficiaries in the relocation process and assess the adequacy of compensation and rehabilitation provided to affected families.

As part of its terms of reference, it will also recommend appropriate corrective measures, including payment of differential compensation, restoration of rights and livelihood support, wherever warranted. The committee will also identify officers responsible for any procedural irregularities or violations and recommend appropriate departmental and criminal action, wherever necessary. The committee has been directed to complete the inquiry and submit its detailed report to the State government within six weeks from the date of its constitution.

In its order delivered on February 9, the commission said that the relocation from a core or critical tiger habitat is governed by Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended, and the guidelines issued by the NTCA. The OHRC also noted that the relocation requires strict legal compliance, habitat assessment, settlement of rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, and informed consent of Gram Sabha. Relocation must be genuinely voluntary and based on a mutually agreed rehabilitation package.

However, the commission during the course of inquiry, found that the procedures and protocols prescribed by the NTCA, which are required to be followed in addition to the benefits offered by the State government for relocation of villages outside core and critical tiger habitats, were not followed in letter and spirit.