The Nagarahole National Park, a protected Tiger Reserve, is facing a severe disturbance between tribal settlements, forest department and animals.
Despite government efforts to support tribals and indigenous people, the situation remains dire.
Meanwhile, tribals who migrated into Kodagu from neighbouring state have settled inside the forest ever since, receiving support from politicians and the judiciary. This has led to an increasing conflict with the forest department and increased human wildlife conflict.
On one hand, the government aims to uplift the tribals status by providing them with land and decent compensation outside the forest boundaries, but also being encouraged to stay inside the forest, leading to devastating implications. The tribals are now demanding lands inside and outside the forest as well and the lands are falling in core forest areas.
The tribals presence inside the forest has created an impasse between the forest department and the politicians.Pollution inside the forest has increased, with single use plastics,alcohol bottles and garbage strewn in the settlement areas. The tribals are also demanding electricity, road and sanitization inside the forest, which is been supported by politicians for popularity and vote gains.
As an environmentalist, it is concerning to see an impasse in addressing these sensitive issues. The future of Nagarahole National Park (TR), its flora and fauna hang in the balance.The centres interference is crucial in bringing an order for relocation of these tribals.
The state government being critical in itsdecision making and must take a proactive approach to resolving this issue by balancing the needs of the tribals and also with the need to protect the forest’s ecosystem. This can be achieved by providing alternate livelihoods and relocating the tribals outside the forest boundaries permanently.
The fate of Nagarahole Forest, its flora and fauna depends on it.
Karthamada Navin Bopaiah
Executive Committee Member, Coorg Wildlife Society.
