Jaipur: After a gap of eight years, the forest department will resume the process of relocating a village located on the periphery of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR), as rising big cat numbers continue to put pressure on available habitat.The progress of the relocation exercise was reviewed in a recent meeting chaired by forest minister Sanjay Sharma where officials were directed to expedite the process and inform villagers about the revised rehabilitation package. A senior RTR official said, “Bherupura village will be the first to be relocated from the reserve’s boundary after the state govt enhanced the cash compensation for village relocation. There are 60 families on the priority list. Under the revised policy, the govt will now provide Rs 15 lakh instead of Rs 10 lakh as compensation for each adult member of a family or offer a land package.” Families opting for the land package will be given six bighas of agricultural land in Tonk district, a residential plot and Rs 2.5 lakh per family to help them resettle outside the reserve. The official said, “Villagers demanded an extension of the cut-off date as those who were minors during the last survey are now adults. Our plan is to offer both cash compensation and land so that a mixed package supports their long-term survival.” The last village relocation in Ranthambore took place in 2016, when families from Gadhi and Kali Bhat Bhata were shifted. Sources said Bherupura was placed on the priority list due to repeated poaching incidents in the area. Nearly 4 years ago, poachers were caught on trap cameras near the village, and around the same time, tigress T-42 went missing from the area. Officials said the relocation became necessary as Ranthambore saw a 45 per cent rise in its tiger population over the last decade. “If Bherupura is relocated, around 52 hectares of land can be reclaimed,” an official said. “Tigers in Ranthambore are currently confined to about 900 sq km. Many adult males and young females between two and 3.5 years are struggling to find territory. Some sub-adult cubs, around 21 months old, will soon separate from their mothers. Due to lack of space, these big cats are being pushed towards the periphery, increasing the risk of conflict. Relocation of villages is therefore essential,” the official added.
