19 rehabilitated families return to Tadoba

The much appreciated rehabilitation programme to move six villages out of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) has hit a major road block as around 19 rehabilitated families have come back and are refusing to leave unless they are paid more money to do so. 

The forest department had rehabilitated Botezari and Kolsa villages from TATR three years ago. The programme was well received, and the remaining villagers also agreed to follow them out of the reserve. However, on May 15, 19 families from Bhagwanpur village—the new name of Botezari after rehabilitation—returned to Botezari meadow and staged demonstrations. 

Botezari and Kolsa villages were rehabilitated near Kesalaghat forest in Mul Tahsil in the first phase during 2005. Though the entire Botezari was shifted, only half the Kolsa village could be rehabilitated as some families had refused to leave, demanding compensation of Rs10 lakh per family. The centre had announced a compensation of Rs1 lakh per family.

It is learnt that local leaders from the villages inside TATR have taken up the issue for political mileage, and as a result, even villagers from Rantalodhi are now asking for a package. 

“Since the successful rehabilitation of Botezari, as per the old package, was coming in the way of the new demands of Kolsa and Rantalodhi villages, some miscreants started provoking the Botezari families to return to their original habitat after three years,” said Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation.

The NGO provides financial assistance to Botezari villagers. SH Patil, field director, TATR, confirmed the incident and stated that there was no option but to book the villagers on charges of encroachment. So far, 17 people have been arrested in this connection, Patil said.