.

Rehabilitation of villages coming under the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger reserve always remains the matter of controversy. We have different opinions regarding rehabilitation. Some favour it while others want the villages in the protected areas. The government policy is very clear on the issue. It believes that rehabilitation of villages is mutually beneficial to both the villagers and the wild life. The world is changing very fast. To join the mainstream for all round development it is important that the villages situated in inac­cessible forest areas, in na­tional parks and wildlife sanctuaries are relocated to accessible locations. Tigers and people do not co-exist. Therefore no co-existence package is viable. Wherever villages exist the tigers in the vicinity have slowly per­ished

Rehabilitation of villages al­ways attracts some or other controversies. We have ex­ample of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserves of Rajasthan, where two years back the experiment of rehabilitation totally failed. On the back­drop of such experiences the successful rehabilitation of two out of six villages in the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve is encouraging for the government machinery.

The issue of rehabilitation of six villages under Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserve was gathering dust since 15 years. Due to this, the villagers were deprived of all developmental activities. For supervising the smooth operation and implementation of the rehabilitation, District Collector Sanjeev Jaiswal took initiative. Sanjeev Jaiswal along with North Chanda Conservator of Forests Shri Bhagawan have taken up the issue with utmost priority and fol­lowed it up with the central government. Two years back the central government sanctioned Rs 4.5 crore for the rehabilitation of Koisa and Botezari village, with the condition of spending maximum Rs one lakh per family. The cost for the house per beneficiary should not exceed Rs 36,000 was another nearly non fea­sible direction. It was a test­ing time for the local au­thorities. The rehabilitation of two villages was de­manding lot 0f land and there was no sufficient in­tact revenue land in the district. Finally the forest villages  were rehabilitated in the forest itself. In the time span of only six months the most difficult task was made possible. Everything was taken care of and the land selection, leveling, construction of houses, allotment of land for farming, development of water resources etc was done on war footing.

All this was not possible in the amount of Rs 4.5 crore. So the Collector Jaiswal engaged other agencies and departments to carryon the tasks. State government also extended support and sanctioned Rs 2.5 crores under rehabilitation package. Even the village Tolewahj, is being connected with south central railway route. This will be the only rehabilitat­ed village in the state to have railway facility. As many as 200 houses are . ready botezari villagers are shifted here, Every family has been provided with pu­rified tap water and electric­ity. There is place for market. Community. centre, school, public health centre, angan­wadi and other facilities.

The only worry now is the crop. Farmers are advised to change the crop pattern. Agriculture department officials are directed to provide all necessary help to the dwellers. The problems are there but the solutions are also visible. What was termed as impossible has been made possible. The rehabilitation is unique in various respects. It is being discussed as Jaiswal pattern of Rehabilitation in the administrative circle. The officers from other tiger projects are turning up to learn and see the success of the pattern. Today the reserve is spread in 623 Sq Km of hills , lush  valleys and under dense teak and bamboo forests through the reserve  flows the Tadoba and Andhari rivers. There are 11

large lakes that attract near­ly SO tigers, leopard, sloth bear, gaur, wild dogs, hyena, civet and jungle cat. Deer species like sambar, cheetal, nilgai, and barking deer are also found in abundance. The Indian marsh crocodile also resides in the reserve. Tadoba is also an ornitholo­gist's paradise.

Therefore the reserve was not only a perfect place for wildlife but also for human settlement. The reserve con­sists of six villages with two forested hill areas in the north and the south, joined by a narrow valley. Through this gorge flows the tadoba river into the chinchaghat valley. This valley is surrounded on three sides by the high hills of the reserve. The Chichghat valley is dense natural forest  with ponds and waterholes, grasslands and meadows. Crop depredation by wild animals is very serious problems faced by villagers in general but those living inside protected areas are the greatest victims. Crops have become very good grazing grounds for the wild ungulates. Villagers are forced to spend night guarding their fields . Cattle lifting is another serious problem. Domestic catt;e are easy prey for tigers. Once used to eating these domestic cattles, the big cats can get addicted easy prey  

Because ,of the existing forest laws particularly The Wildlife (Protection) Act and The Forest (Conservation) Act, very few development activities are possible for these villagers.

There are no proper connecting roads, no electricity available and very minimal health and other facilities.  Because of remoteness very few  teachers are willing to serve the villagers. The education standard is very poor. There is growing social problem of marriage because of remoteness. No outsiders likes to marry in because eof inaccessibility of these villages.

Wildlife and, wildlife manager also face numerous problems. The sharing of biomass is an extremely serious threat to wild animals.

Therefore, the only way at is by relocating the villages in  side these protected areas. The rehabilitation of these villages was therefore very important. The efforts of the Collector and other officers helped in relocating two villages for the benefit of humans and animals both.