Maharashtra villagers in tiger core areas offered Rs 10 lakh to relocate

MUMBAI:In a bid to avoid conflict, villagers living in core areas of tiger reserve in Maharashtra will be given Rs 10 lakh as compensation to relocate. However, the decision on whether to accept the package or continue to reside in the forest will remain voluntary.

“Centre will bear the expenses incurred during the rehabilitation of the villagers. A total of 215 villages need to be relocated. Many of them have agreed for relocation out of tiger reserve,” CM Prithviraj Chavan said addressing a news conference in Mantralay. The decision to this effect was taken in the state cabinet meeting held in Vidhan Bhavan on Tuesday.

Praveen Pardeshi, principal secretary (forests) said, “Shifting out of the core tiger area is not mandatory. If villagers feel they can continue to stay in the forest.” “Those willing to shift can either take cash or land for land. In fact, villagers can even have both cash and land,” he added.