The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has urged state wildlife departments to submit a timeline and action plan for relocating villages from critical tiger habitats. This move is part of NTCA’s efforts to strengthen tiger conservation across India’s 55 designated tiger reserves.
Key Highlights on NTCA’s Latest Directive
- NTCA, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is the apex body overseeing Project Tiger.
- In a recent letter, NTCA emphasized prioritizing the voluntary relocation of villages from core areas of tiger reserves.
- According to NTCA, nearly 600 villages with over 64,000 families are located in the core zones of tiger habitats.
- These core areas are meant to remain “inviolate” under the Wildlife Protection Act (2006 Amendment) to ensure a viable population of breeding tigers.
What is the Voluntary Village Relocation Program (VVRP)?
The Voluntary Village Relocation Program (VVRP) is central to NTCA’s mission of balancing human development with ecological integrity.
- It aims to empower communities with access to development and services while freeing up vital space for tigers.
- Relocation must be voluntary, with informed consent from Gram Sabhas and families.
- Forest rights under the Forest Rights Act must be fully settled before relocation.
- Families choosing relocation can opt for:
- ₹15 lakh in financial compensation, or
- A resettlement package including land, a house, and basic infrastructure.
However, the current relocation provisions do not meet the standards of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, especially concerning the rights of Scheduled Tribes and forest dwellers.
Understanding Project Tiger
- Launched in 1973, Project Tiger is India’s flagship initiative for tiger conservation.
- Started with 9 reserves, it has grown to 55 reserves covering 2.38% of India’s land.
- NTCA plays a critical role in implementing Project Tiger, using modern monitoring techniques like camera traps.
About NTCA
- NTCA was established in 2005 on the recommendation of the Tiger Task Force.
- It functions under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, with expanded powers post the 2006 amendment.
- NTCA ensures scientific management, legal oversight, and policy formulation for tiger reserves.
Wildlife Protection Act & NTCA’s Legal Framework
- Enforced in 1972, the Wildlife Protection Act aims to protect species and their habitats.
- Key schedules:
- Schedule I & II: Strictly protected species like the tiger, black buck, and king cobra.
- Schedule III & IV: Protected but with lesser penalties.
- Schedule V & VI: Covers vermin and protected plants.
- Important amendments in 1991, 2002, 2006, and 2022 have expanded the Act’s scope.
Important Amendments done to the Act
Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 1991:
This amendment strengthened the penalties and fines for wildlife-related offences and also introduced provisions for the protection of endangered species.
Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2002:
This amendment introduced the concept of community reserves and conservation reserves as protected areas.
Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2006:
This amendment dealt with the issue of human-wildlife conflict and provided for the creation of a National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to manage and protect tiger reserves. It also made provisions for the creation of a Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau to deal with wildlife-related crimes.
Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022:
- The Act seeks to increase the species protected under the law and implement CITES.
- The number of schedules has been reduced to four:
- Schedule I containing animal species enjoying the highest level of protection.
- Schedule II for animal species subject to a lesser degree of protection.
- Schedule III for protected plant species, and
- Schedule IV for scheduled specimens under CITES.
- The Act permits the use of elephants for ‘religious or any other purposes’.
- The penalties have also been increased for general and specially protected animals’ violations.
Various Bodies Under WPA 1972
- National Board for Wildlife (NBWL): Established by the government of India, the NBWL acts as the governing authority for wildlife-related issues, chaired by the Prime Minister. Its role is consultative, advising the government on wildlife conservation policies.
- State Board for Wildlife (SBWL): Constituted by state governments, the SBWL advises on site selection, preservation policy, and any alterations to Schedules, chaired by the state/Chief UT’s Minister.
- Central Zoo Authority: Formed with ten members, including the Environment Minister as chairperson, the authority grants zoo recognition and regulates them nationally and internationally.
- National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA): Established in 2005, it recommends Tiger Reserves, and around 50 wildlife sanctuaries in India are designated as Tiger Reserves under the Act.
- Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB): Established to combat organized wildlife crime, the WCCB collects and analyzes intelligence, creates a wildlife crime data bank, aids state governments in prosecutions, and advises the Government of India on wildlife crimes.
Why NTCA’s Role Matters
The NTCA’s push for timely village relocation is crucial for:
- Ensuring inviolate spaces for tigers to breed and roam.
- Respecting the rights of forest-dwelling communities.
- Promoting long-term sustainability of India’s tiger population.
- Aligning with national and international conservation commitments.
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