568 families to move out of Chandaka making it inviolate | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Chandaka wildlife sanctuary on the outskirts of the capital city will be completely inviolate as 568 families from five villages, which are now inside the core area, have given their consent to move out of the forest. Freeing the core area of the sanctuary from human interference is necessary to sustain wildlife. However, as per the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), villagers cannot be forcefully evicted. They need to give their consent in gram sabha and receive all the mandatory compensation.
Divisional forest officer, Chandaka, Sarat Behera, said the relocation process will start as villagers have given it in writing that they will vacate after receiving compensation. “Land has been identified for building a rehabilitation colony. Villagers who have attained 18 years will each be considered a family, and hence compensation will be provided based on that norm. For a family, cash compensation of Rs 20 lakh or Rs 15 lakh and a piece of homestead land will be provided based on what they opt for,” Behera said.
People of five villages — Nuakua, Dholakatha, Behentasahi, Pithakhia, and Dahanigadia — have shown keenness for getting relocated to a place of their choice outside the sanctuary boundary. “Since the core areas of the sanctuaries should be free from human interference, the villagers are given the option to move out. In March 2018, a few selected villagers visited the rehabilitation colonies in other sanctuaries to get an idea of how the settlements are situated and whether the relocated residents have any difficulties after being relocated. After their visit, the villagers expressed their keenness. The rehabilitation colonies will have 24×7 water and power supply, which are not currently available in the villages inside the sanctuary,” wildlife officials said.
Chandaka, spread over 193 sq km, is home to prey animals such as deer, wild boar, and rabbit. It is an elephant sanctuary with close to 50 resident elephants. There are leopards, porcupines, and other animals too. In 2012, 230 families were shifted from the sanctuary. Before that, in 2008, 85 families were shifted to rehabilitation colonies in Tulsadeipur and Krushnanagar in Khurda district.
Wildlife officials said poaching of prey animals by tribals will also be checked once the villagers move out. “We have been spotting several varieties of animal traps in the sanctuary, indicating hunting attempts. Bows and arrows are also found at some places,” added the wildlife officer.
Divisional forest officer, Chandaka, Sarat Behera, said the relocation process will start as villagers have given it in writing that they will vacate after receiving compensation. “Land has been identified for building a rehabilitation colony. Villagers who have attained 18 years will each be considered a family, and hence compensation will be provided based on that norm. For a family, cash compensation of Rs 20 lakh or Rs 15 lakh and a piece of homestead land will be provided based on what they opt for,” Behera said.
People of five villages — Nuakua, Dholakatha, Behentasahi, Pithakhia, and Dahanigadia — have shown keenness for getting relocated to a place of their choice outside the sanctuary boundary. “Since the core areas of the sanctuaries should be free from human interference, the villagers are given the option to move out. In March 2018, a few selected villagers visited the rehabilitation colonies in other sanctuaries to get an idea of how the settlements are situated and whether the relocated residents have any difficulties after being relocated. After their visit, the villagers expressed their keenness. The rehabilitation colonies will have 24×7 water and power supply, which are not currently available in the villages inside the sanctuary,” wildlife officials said.
Chandaka, spread over 193 sq km, is home to prey animals such as deer, wild boar, and rabbit. It is an elephant sanctuary with close to 50 resident elephants. There are leopards, porcupines, and other animals too. In 2012, 230 families were shifted from the sanctuary. Before that, in 2008, 85 families were shifted to rehabilitation colonies in Tulsadeipur and Krushnanagar in Khurda district.
Wildlife officials said poaching of prey animals by tribals will also be checked once the villagers move out. “We have been spotting several varieties of animal traps in the sanctuary, indicating hunting attempts. Bows and arrows are also found at some places,” added the wildlife officer.
