• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sent a detailed policy brief titled "Reconciling Conservation and Community Rights
• This framework mandates that any relocation of forest-dwelling communities from tiger reserves must be voluntary, based on free, prior, and informed consent, and aligned with the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Aims to harmonize wildlife conservation with tribal rights, ensuring relocation decisions are voluntary, transparent, and scientifically justified.
• Protection of tribal dignity and rights is paramount; no coercion or pressure should be applied.

• Forest-dwelling tribes live in ecologically sensitive areas such as tiger reserves, often leading to conflicts between wildlife conservation and tribal rights.
• The Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA) grants forest tribes rights to live within traditional forest habitats.
• Relocation has been contentious due to alleged coercion, inadequate consent, and poor implementation of laws.
• Over 1,566 villages with 55,000 families have been relocated from tiger reserves since 2007, with another 94,000 families still inside these areas.

• Establishment of a National Framework for Community-Centred Conservation and Relocation (NFCCR)
  • Jointly managed by Environment and Tribal Affairs Ministries.
  • Defines procedures, timelines, accountability, and safeguards.
• Creation of a National Database on Conservation-Community Interface (NDCCI)
  • Tracks all relocations, compensation disbursed, and post-relocation welfare scenarios.
  • Annual independent audits to ensure compliance with laws and human rights standards.

• Relocations should only occur after ecological assessments prove necessity.
• Consent processes must be conducted in local languages and culturally appropriate formats.
• Independent civil society organizations oversee the consent process to prevent inducements or coercion.
• Post-relocation rehabilitation packages typically include financial assistance (e.g., ₹15 lakh per family) and livelihood support.
• Continued monitoring and support for relocated families to ensure welfare and integration.

• Wildlife SOS has conducted successful rehabilitation programs among nomadic tribes like the Kalandar communities, focusing on education, sustainable livelihoods, and empowerment over two decades.

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