JAIPUR/JODHPUR: Rajasthan High Court’s principal seat in Jodhpur on Monday directed the state to relocate the tribal hamlet of Kharni Tokri from Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
This relocation, the first of its kind in the state following a court order, has been necessitated by the fact that the village is situated deep within the wildlife sanctuary, depriving the residents of basic amenities such as roads, electricity, and water.
Despite previous representations from the villagers requesting to be moved out, the forest department had not addressed their concerns.
The court has directed that the relocation process be completed within three months. A copy of the order is to be sent to the secretary of the forest department.
Additionally, the State Legal Aid Authority has been asked to inform people of Kumbhalgarh and surrounding tribal areas about the relocation and related schemes meant for them.
Advocate Rituraj Singh Rathore, who has been representing the petitioner tribals, said, “The court noted that the NTCA’s report had also recommended relocating the hamlets and villages from the protected areas. The state govt had previously established a scheme in 2002 for relocating communities from sanctuaries and national parks in Rajasthan.”
The small hamlet has around 25 kutcha houses under jurisdiction of Ghanerao gram panchayat in Pali district. Half of the families in the hamlet have sought shelter elsewhere, not only due to lack of amenities but also because of the threat of wild animals.
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary spans an extensive area of 610.528 square kilometers, encompassing a core zone of 224.890 square kilometers and a buffer zone of 385.638 square kilometers. “The sanctuary has a significant number of nilgais (Boselaphus tragocamelus), sambhars (Rusa unicolor), and other animals that destroy crops. There are also many sloth bears and leopards, and the possibility of man-animal conflicts persists,” said a resident of the hamlet.
In Aug 2023, Kumbhalgarh received in-principle approval to be declared as another tiger reserve. NTCA endorsed the proposal on Aug 4, and Union ministry of environment, forest, and climate change subsequently granted preliminary approval.
We also published the following articles recently
Wildlife photography using smartphones: 10 tips to click tigers when visiting sanctuary
The article provided detailed tips for capturing stunning tiger photos in wildlife sanctuaries using smartphones. Emphasizing the importance of research, patience, and safety, it also covered essential gear like zoom lenses and power banks. It advised mastering manual camera settings, avoiding flash, using a tripod, framing correctly, and post-processing to enhance photo quality.
Heavy rain and floods: Ready to rehabilitate 15 hamlets in Khanapur taluk, says Satish Jarkiholi
District minister Satish Jarkiholi announced that the government is ready to rehabilitate or provide basic facilities to 15 hamlets in Khanapur taluk, mostly situated in Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary. Residents have struggled with flooding and lack of infrastructure, and measures are being considered following discussions with the forest minister. Road and bridge repairs have been initiated post-rainy season.
Wildlife photography using smartphones: 9 tips to click birds when visiting a sanctuary
Bird photography in a wildlife sanctuary with a smartphone required patience, skill, and respect for the environment. Key tips included thorough research, prioritizing safety, using a good zoom lens, faster shutter speed, avoiding flash, thoughtful framing, and post-processing. These strategies significantly enhanced the chances of capturing stunning bird photos in their natural habitat.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.
Start a Conversation
Post comment