The Union Tribal Affairs Ministry has introduced a new policy framework on tiger conservation, emphasising that forest communities must not be displaced without completing Forest Rights Act (FRA) procedures.
Present situation:
- India follows a conservation model where local communities are partners, not intruders.
- Recent policy stresses that relocation from forests should be rare, only after full FRA compliance.
- A response to earlier directions that pushed for mass removal of villages from tiger reserves.
Features of the New Policy
- No eviction without FRA completion — forest dwellers recognised as legal stakeholders.
- Relocation = last option, not default action.
- Encourages research and trial models for humans + tigers coexisting safely.
- Uses SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act protections for illegal evictions.
- Creates a 3-tier grievance system for community complaints.
- Recognises communities have diverse needs — modern amenities vs traditional lifestyles.
Why Policy Shift Matters
- Counters trend of treating forests just as carbon sinks and people as obstacles.
- Tries to balance ecology, livelihood, and justice.
- Builds social legitimacy for tiger conservation through participation, not exclusion.
Challenges & Concerns
- Tigers need disturbance-free core zones in some areas — scientific conservation remains relevant.
- Local issues vary — uniform policy cannot address site-specific needs.
- State Forest Departments, not the Centre, largely control ground-level implementation.
- Possibility of dual systems — some States may still force relocations.
- Poor enforcement of compensation norms in previous relocation exercises.
Way Forward
- Combine community rights + scientific management.
- Strengthen local consultation, compensation, and transparent enforcement.
- Create custom strategies for each reserve, based on ecology and social context.
- Ensure conservation does not turn into either: pure fortress model (evicting people), or weak protection compromising tiger habitats.
India’s Major Tiger Conservation Initiatives
- Project Tiger (1973) – flagship programme to protect tigers and their habitats.
- National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) – regulatory body for tiger protection.
- Tiger Reserves Network – 54 reserves covering major tiger landscapes.
- M-STrIPES App – monitoring tigers, patrolling, and ecological data.
- Global Tiger Forum & Global Tiger Initiative – international cooperation led by India.
- 2022 Tiger Census – India holds ~75% of world tiger population.
Conclusion:
India’s new approach aims to protect tigers without harming traditional forest communities. True success lies in balancing scientific conservation and human rights, ensuring forests remain safe for tigers while fair to people.
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