Govt moots CWH for forest dwellers

PANJIM, OCT 2
The Goa government thinks that Critical Wildlife Habitat (CWH) is the best way for fastest rehabilitation of forest dwellers who have been residing in wildlife sanctuaries for over 75 years.
“This is an opportunity for them to get rehabilitated. Or else the rehabilitation process drags on for years,” a State Level Starring Committee (SLSC) member told Herald.
At the same time, Forest Department officials fear that in absence of CWH, the ecological balance within the sanctuaries might be ruined. The claim is rubbished by environmentalists who say that for generations the forest dwellers have been living with the jungles in harmony.
“If we don’t protect these sanctuaries under CWH now, then there is every possibility that we might lose forests in near future,” the official said.
However, the official was not in a position to explain why the State has failed to provide proper rehabilitation package to the forest dwellers since years, who number around 300 families in all the wildlife sanctuaries of the State.
The process for declaring CWH which began at  the State’s smallest wildlife sanctuary has hit a bitter note. The SLSC headed by Additional Principal Chief Conservator Of Forest Dr Shashi Kumar is facing several ‘issues’.
Except for Bondla, in the rest of the places the SLSC is facing heat from the locals who feel that their rights would be encroached upon once CWH status is notified.
A Senior Forest Department officer said that people’s worry is unwarranted. “All the claims of the forest dwellers would be settled properly. Without settling their claims, the status cannot be notified,” he said.
Goa’s Chorao and Bondla wildlife sanctuaries have no human settlements while rest except Bhagwan Mahaveer sanctuary, the settlements are scarce. For instance, there are five pockets in Cotigao wildlife sanctuary that contributes for 34 families.
Bhagwan Mahaveer sanctuary has a major issue as entire Kalem village comprising around 200 families fall within its jurisdiction. But the Forest Department officials say that this village can be carved out of the CWH as ‘there is no much wildlife in it.’
“Since this village has a huge population, it can be left out of CWH status,” official said.
After Chorao, residents of Cotigao too has raised strong objection to the CWH status. However, the official said that the SLSC has full powers to go against public wish and declare the sanctuaries as CWH.
It looks that the Union Forest Ministry is the only hope for  these people as the final decision will be taken by it.
The official said that if the ministry feels that the sanctuary does not need CWH status then it won’t be granted. “But we don’t feel that they will object as it is required to protect the forest,” official said.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department which is keen to declare these sanctuaries as CHW says that it is upto Tribal Welfare Department to look after their rehabilitation and other needs. Interestingly, Goa is yet to set up a Tribal Welfare Department. And in its absence the responsibility lies with Social Welfare Department.
“CWH is not being declared by Forest Department. There are only two Forest Department officers on SLSC while the rest comprises representatives of the Central government, environmentalists and experts,” an official said.
The Tribal Welfare Department is a nodal agency in implementing the tribal rights in the State. The Union Tribal Ministry has recently figured Goa as ‘Zero’ for failing to implement the act in the State.