National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled "Land Grab In Telangana ... vs Principal Chief Conservator Of Forests ... on 24 January, 2025
Author: Satyagopal Korlapati
Bench: Satyagopal Korlapati
Item No. 13
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI
Friday the 24th day of January, 2025.
Original Application No. 149 of 2024 (SZ)
(Through Video Conference)
IN THE MATTER OF
Suo Motu,
Based on the news item appeared in The Times of India
Dated 04.02.2024 titled, "Land grab in Telangana forests
Shrinks space for big cats".
...Applicant(s)
Versus
1. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests(HoEF),
Telangana Forest Department,
Aranya Bhavan, Saifabad, Hyderabad,
Telangana- 500004.
2. Chief Wildlife Warden, Telangana,
Aranya Bhavan, Saifabad, Hyderabad,
Telangana- 500004.
3. District Collector and Magistrate,
Adilabad, Government of Telangana,
Collectorate Adilabad- 504 001.
...Respondent(s)
For Applicant(s): Suo Motu
For Respondent(s): Mrs. H. Yasmeen Ali for R1 to R3.
Date of Hearing: 24th January, 2025.
CORAM:
HON'BLE SMT. JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE DR. SATYAGOPAL KORLAPATI, EXPERT MEMBER
JUDGMENT
Delivered by Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, Judicial Member
1. The above case has been Suo Motu registered by the Principal Bench as O.A. No. 243 of 2024 (PB) based on the news item published in the Times of India dated 04.02.2024 titled "Land 1 grab in Telangana forests shrinks space for big cats" which was transferred to this Bench and re-numbered as O.A. No. 149 of 2024(SZ).
2. It is stated in the news report that encroachments on the forest land has been done by the tribals for Podu cultivation, a type of cultivation practiced by tribes in which forest trees are felled every year to clear land for farming, also known as shifting cultivation. The news item discloses that 24.7% of Telangana's area is under forests and that on account of the mining, cutting of trees, expansion of roads, rail network, etc., the area is declining and the consequential effect is that the tiger population is also going down in the State.
3. As per the allegation made in the news item, Telangana Government has accepted 15254 claims under the Forest Rights Act in Asifabad and has issued Pattas for 44750 acres of forest land which reveals that a large chunk of forest land has been given to the Tribals. As per the disclosure made in the news item, illegal forest felling for Podu cultivation is reducing the tiger corridor area, leading to territorial fights among tiger competing for limited space.
4. The Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Kawal Tiger Reserve, on 11.09.2024 filed a reply on behalf of respondents 1 to 3 stating that as per the report of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) titled "Status of Tigers, Co- predators and Prey in India 2022", tigers have been locally extirpated from Kawal Tiger Reserve, with no tiger presence 2 currently reported. However, some tigers, including cubs, were photo-captured in the nearby Kawal Corridor, which could serve as a source for future tiger recovery. The department is actively working on habitat management and a prey recovery program to support the return of tigers to the area.
5. Regarding the news item that encroachment by tribals for podu cultivation, it is stated that the encroachments by the tribals have been regularized as per the guidelines laid down in the Recognition of Forest Rights (ROFR) Act, 2006 by the Tribal Welfare Department. The Commissioner, Tribal Welfare informed that tile deeds were awarded to the tribals under the RoFR Act and also furnished the details of the same.
6. The Chief Conservator of Forests has reported that a total of 63.16 kilometres of National Highways pass through the Kawal Tiger Reserve. The primary highway running through the Reserve is NH 363, the Mancherial-Chandrapur Road. To support wildlife movement, the National Board for Wildlife has mandated the construction of an eco-bridge along this road, as well as an underpass, following recommendations from the Chief Warden and the Expert Committee.
7. Authorized agencies have already begun the construction of the eco-bridge and underpass at strategic locations identified for facilitating wildlife movement. In addition, various wildlife mitigation measures have been recommended, including the installation of chain-link fencing on both sides of the underpass, speed control devices, solar-powered bore wells with percolation 3 tanks, habitat management initiatives, and caution boards to ensure the safety of both wildlife and vehicles.
8. The government has submitted a proposal for the establishment of a specialized Tiger Protection Force (STPF). The proposal outlines the formation of one STPF company, consisting of three platoons with a total of 111 personnel, each led by a Forest Range Officer. This force is intended for deployment at each Tiger Reserve, with funding and resources shared between the Central and State Governments. Additionally, the Department is actively taking all necessary measures to ensure the timely release of compensation, in collaboration with the Government.
9. The report highlights that illegal forest felling has been effectively halted through the implementation of various preventive measures. The deployment of executive staff and Base Camp Watchers has played a critical role in curbing illegal logging activities. In addition, awareness programs focusing on wildlife protection, fire prevention, encroachment control, and other extension activities have been organized in the forest-adjacent villages.
10. Furthermore, the report provides detailed information on the recovery of land and the plantation activities undertaken. As part of ongoing efforts to protect wildlife, the Forest Department has also launched a special initiative called the "Catch the Trap" Anti- Poaching Drive. This program is aimed at preventing poaching and safeguarding the wildlife. To date, 174.25 kg of iron trap material 4 has been confiscated from the Kawal Tiger Reserve as part of these preventive actions.
11. According to the report from the Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Project Tiger, Kawal Tiger Reserve Circle, the Government of Telangana has taken a series of actions to address the issues highlighted in the news item, including conducting awareness programs, forming a special team, and installing safety measures. Furthermore, regarding the primary allegation of encroachment by tribals for podu cultivation, the report clarifies that these encroachments have been regularized in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Recognition of Forest Rights (RoFR) Act, 2006, by the Tribal Welfare Department.
12. The report of the official respondents has adequately addressed the allegations raised in the news and outlines the preventive measures taken to ensure that such issues do not arise in the future. In light of these actions, the Original Application is disposed of.
............................................................J.M. (Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana) .......................................E.M. (Dr. Satyagopal Korlapati) Internet - Yes/No All India NGT Reporter - Yes/No O.A. No.149/2024(SZ) 24th January, 2024. (AM) 5