1 week ago
Odisha Forms Panel to Probe Satkosia Village Relocation Process
The Odisha government is investigating how villages were moved from the Satkosia Tiger Reserve.
The investigation began after the Odisha Human Rights Commission raised concerns about the process.
A committee of government officials and an independent wildlife expert will examine what happened.
It will check whether families were properly included, compensated, and rehabilitated.
It will also see whether people’s forest rights and Gram Sabha consent were respected.
The commission said relocation should be voluntary and follow specific laws and wildlife guidelines.
If mistakes or wrongdoing are found, the committee can recommend compensation, restored rights, or action against responsible officials.
The committee has six weeks to finish its report.
The Odisha government formed a five-member committee to examine allegations involving village relocation in Satkosia Tiger Reserve.
The panel was created following a February 9 directive from the Odisha Human Rights Commission.
It will review relocation procedures, beneficiary selection, compensation, rehabilitation, and compliance with wildlife and forest-rights laws.
Retired IFS officer Anup Nayak was appointed as an independent wildlife-law and rehabilitation expert.
The committee must submit its report within six weeks and may recommend corrective or legal action.
- Who
- The Odisha government, the Odisha Human Rights Commission, affected families, and a five-member inquiry committee.
- What
- A high-level inquiry into the village-wise relocation process in the Satkosia Tiger Reserve, excluding Raiguda village.
- Where
- Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Anugul district, Odisha.
- When
- The committee was constituted on Thursday through an August 17 notification, following an OHRC directive issued on February 9.
- Why
- To investigate alleged procedural violations, verify legal compliance, assess compensation and rehabilitation, and recommend corrective action where necessary.
Human Rights Commission Concerns
Government Inquiry Response
Compliance with relocation rules
Human Rights Commission Concerns
The Odisha Human Rights Commission found that National Tiger Conservation Authority procedures and protocols were not followed in letter and spirit.
Government Inquiry Response
The Odisha government has established a committee to verify compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and wildlife guidelines.
Rights and consent
Human Rights Commission Concerns
The commission said relocation requires settlement of forest rights, informed Gram Sabha consent, and a genuinely voluntary process based on an agreed rehabilitation package.
Government Inquiry Response
The committee will examine whether these requirements were followed and recommend restoration of rights or livelihood support where warranted.
Accountability
Human Rights Commission Concerns
The OHRC’s findings raised concerns about possible wrongful beneficiary decisions and procedural irregularities.
Government Inquiry Response
The inquiry panel will identify responsible officers and may recommend departmental or criminal action if violations are established.
Key facts
- Committee chair
- Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management department.
- Independent expert
- Retired IFS officer Anup Nayak, a former member secretary of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
- Inquiry scope
- The entire village-wise relocation process in Satkosia Tiger Reserve, except Raiguda village.
- Laws and guidelines
- The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and National Tiger Conservation Authority guidelines.
- Issues to examine
- Beneficiary inclusion or exclusion, compensation, rehabilitation, rights settlement, and procedural compliance.
- Possible remedies
- Differential compensation, restoration of rights, livelihood support, and departmental or criminal action.
- Deadline
- The committee must submit its detailed report within six weeks of its constitution.
Sources
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