Gujarat CM Announces Relocation Scheme for Barda Maldhari Families
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel announces a voluntary relocation scheme for Maldhari families in Barda Wildlife Sanctuary to boost conservation.
In a significant move aimed at balancing wildlife conservation with human welfare, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced a comprehensive scheme for the voluntary relocation of Maldhari families residing within the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary. The initiative seeks to integrate these traditional communities into the mainstream by providing them with essential facilities, including improved education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
Boosting Conservation and Reducing Conflict
The decision, announced during the 77th Van Mahotsav in Porbandar, is designed to achieve multiple objectives simultaneously. By facilitating the movement of human settlements outside the sanctuary boundaries, the state government aims to:
- Protect Wildlife: Specifically focusing on the protection of lions and other species.
- Reduce Conflict: Minimizing human-wildlife conflict by decreasing human encroachment.
- Ease Biotic Pressure: Opening up large portions of the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary for natural ecological processes.
Financial Assistance and Housing Benefits
The government has outlined a structured compensation package following the guidelines set by the National Tiger Conservation Authority. Key details of the assistance include:
Cash Compensation
Each beneficiary family will receive a lump-sum payment of Rs. 15 lakh in a single installment. It is important to note that once a family has voluntarily relocated, no further claims to rights or interests within the Barda area will be recognized, and no additional payments will be made.
Land and Housing Allocation
To ensure a smooth transition, the state government will provide a 100-square-yard plot free of cost to each relocating family for residential purposes. The criteria for land allotment are as follows:
- The land must be located outside the sanctuary and the Eco-Sensitive Zone.
- It must be situated at least 10 km away from a Municipal Corporation and 5 km from a Municipality.
- If a family requires extra space for livestock, an additional plot of up to 100 square yards may be provided. In such cases, the market value of the extra land will be deducted from the Rs. 15 lakh assistance.
Governance and Implementation Framework
To ensure the scheme is implemented transparently and effectively, a dual-committee structure has been established.
State-Level Oversight
A State-Level Committee will guide and review the implementation. This committee is chaired by the Principal Secretary of the Forest and Environment Department and includes high-ranking officials such as:
- Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force
- Chief Wildlife Warden
- Director of the Social Welfare Department
- The Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Circle, Junagadh (Member Secretary)
District-Level Execution
At the local level, a District-Level Committee chaired by the respective District Collector will manage the practicalities. This committee is responsible for verifying family details, checking supporting documents, and identifying eligible families. Members include the District Development Officer, District Social Welfare Officer, District Agriculture Officer, Executive Engineer, and PGVCL officials, with the Deputy Conservator of Forests serving as Member Secretary.
This transformative scheme is expected to bring a positive shift in the lifestyles of the Maldhari community, offering them better livelihoods and access to modern amenities while ensuring the ecological integrity of the Barda region remains intact.