OHRC Seeks Full Records on Satkosia Tiger Reserve Village Relocation Irregularities

• The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has directed the Forest and Revenue Departments and the Angul Collector to submit complete records on the relocation of villages from the Satkosia Tiger Reserve , following allegations of large-scale irregularities and violations of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and State R&R Policy guidelines.

Allegations and Violations

• A petition filed before the OHRC alleged that officials relocated villagers without following mandatory procedures such as holding gram sabhas and settling forest rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 . It also accused officials of mismanaging compensation and forging signatures of villagers who refused to relocate.

Officials’ Response

• Senior forest officials, including PCCF (Wildlife) Prem Kumar Jha , CCF Bikash Ranjan Dash , and RCCF Sanjay Swain , denied all allegations, stating that the relocation was voluntary and conducted per NTCA norms. The then DFO Saroj Kumar Panda and Angul Tehsildar Alok Kumar Dehury also appeared before the Commission to provide explanations.

Commission’s Queries
The OHRC has sought clarifications on:

• Whether gram sabhas were held before relocation.

• If forest rights were settled under the FRA, 2006.

• Whether a state policy ensures compensation aligned with the Land Acquisition Act .

• Details of any forgery investigations , cut-off dates , and a list of relocated families with corresponding compensation.

Strict Warning and Next Hearing

• The OHRC has warned that failure to provide the required records will be viewed seriously. The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on October 30 , where compliance with relocation norms and protection of forest dwellers’ rights will be reviewed.

Exam-Oriented Facts:

• Satkosia Tiger Reserve spans Angul, Cuttack, Nayagarh, and Boudh districts of Odisha.

• FRA 2006 mandates settlement of forest rights before relocation.

• NTCA guidelines require prior gram sabha consent for village relocation.

• OHRC can summon records and witnesses in rights violation cases.