Odisha forms inquiry panel to probe village relocations from Satkosia tiger habitat

What Happened

The Odisha government established a high-level inquiry committee to examine the relocation of villages from the Satkosia Tiger Reserve (STR). The inquiry follows allegations by residents that they were forcibly displaced from ancestral villages despite decades of coexistence with wildlife. The committee is led by the Revenue and Disaster Management Secretary and will review the village-wise relocation process across STR, excluding Raiguda, which was the first village relocated after procedures were followed. The panel was formed by a notification issued on August 17, 2026, and has a mandate to verify compliance with statutory provisions including the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, the Forest Rights Act 2006, and NTCA guidelines. It will scrutinize beneficiary identification to determine if villagers were wrongly included or excluded, assess compensation and rehabilitation provided, and recommend corrective measures such as differential compensation, restoration of rights, and livelihood support. The government also asked the committee to identify officers responsible for procedural irregularities or violations and to recommend departmental and criminal actions where appropriate. The inquiry was ordered following directions from the Odisha Human Rights Commission.

Why It Matters

The move signals a government effort to address longstanding grievances linked to the Satkosia relocation program, which has a history of controversy around consent processes, beneficiary enumeration, and payments. The committee’s findings could influence future handling of tiger-conservation-related relocations and may trigger policy or disciplinary actions if irregularities are confirmed.

Background

Satkosia Tiger Reserve has faced a troubled conservation history. The state census recorded 12 tigers in 2007, but by 2018-19 only one remained, and the 2022 census reported none. Past relocation efforts occurred after the government aimed to revive the tiger population, including inter-state relocations starting in 2018. Villagers have previously alleged that Gram Sabha meetings were not properly conducted, notices and quorum were lacking, and beneficiary lists were prepared non-transparently, with signs of irregularities and possible improper compensation practices. These factors culminated in a broader critique of how relocations were carried out within STR and its surrounding zones.

Key Facts

• A high-level inquiry committee was formed to examine village relocations from Satkosia Tiger Reserve.
• The committee is led by the Revenue and Disaster Management Secretary.
• The inquiry notification was issued on August 17, 2026.
• Raiguda is excluded from the committee’s scope because it was the first village relocated with procedures followed.
• The committee will examine compliance with the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, the Forest Rights Act 2006, and NTCA guidelines.
• Beneficiary identification and compensation/rehabilitation provisions will be scrutinized.
• The inquiry aims to identify officers responsible for any irregularities and recommend actions, including possible departmental or criminal measures.
• The Ohio/Human Rights Commission directed the formation of the inquiry committee.

What Happens Next

The committee has been instructed to complete its examination with recommendations for corrective measures, including any adjustments to compensation, restoration of rights, and livelihood support, and to propose accountability steps for implicated officials. No date for final findings is provided in the material.