Protected Area Network in Orissa - Vasundhara

assumption at the governmental level and among many urban wildlifeconservationists is that the presence of humans and their usufructory relation with theforest is contributing to the degradation of the environment. Some concede reluctantlythat though historically ‘eco-system’ people had a ‘symbiotic’ relationship with naturebut presently their population has increased, as have their cattle and goats that grazethe downy undergrowth in competition with the herbivorous ungulates of the wilds.Political and financial reasons, inertia and ground realities have so far prevented thegovernment from taking any action towards permanently disassociating these peoplefrom their natural surrounds. Additionally, there is mounting pressure from theaffected people themselves with the support of select community based socialorganisations.The role of the state as landlord or estate owner created a dual problem. On the onehand, it imposed the British legal system on an ethnocentric legal order based oncustomary usage and norms and guided by ecological parameters. On the other, itpaved the way for a western model of conservation inherently established on theduality of man and nature.The areas of conflict are wide and they range from the alienation of forest dwellingand dependant communities from the state and urban conservationists/wildlifers, theabrogation of the customary rights of these communities, including the spectre ofdisplacement to the alleged harassment of the local people by officials of the forestdepartment. There are rumours of forced evictions, loss of livelihood, lack of effectiverehabilitation and compensation.3. Issues pertaining to Right Settlement in Protected AreasAs per the Act, once the Government decides to create a sanctuary in an area, it issuesa notification of intention of the same (section 18), appoints a Collector to determinerights and carry out inquiry with the power to exclude rights bearing land fromsanctuary boundary/ acquire the land under Land Acquisition Act, 1894/ allowcontinuation of rights in consultation with Chief Wildlife Warden (section 24). Aprocess of time bound serving of notice, submission of claim by affected persons,132