Karauli Dholpur Tiger Reserve – Karauli-Dholpur MP Bhajan Lal Jatav made a courtesy call on Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupendra Yadav and apprised him of the deep concern and objections of the people of the area regarding the Karauli-Dholpur Tiger Reserve. During this, he submitted a detailed memorandum to the Minister in which various serious issues arising from the proposed Tiger Reserve were highlighted.
MP Jatav expressed concern on the following points in his memorandum –
1. Crisis on population and livelihood
Karauli-Dholpur parliamentary constituency is a densely populated rural area, where thousands of families depend on agriculture, animal husbandry and forests. The notification of the proposed Tiger Reserve is posing a serious threat to the land, livelihood and future of these families.
2. Threat to religious and cultural sites
The MP said that many ancient religious and cultural sites are located in the proposed area, whose existence has also been threatened by this notification.
3. Decision taken without public hearing and consent
The MP clarified that before this notification, neither the consent of the Gram Sabhas was taken nor any public hearing process was adopted. This is a clear violation of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013 (RFCTLARR Act).
4. Deep anger among the public
This decision taken without prior information and consent has caused deep anger and dissatisfaction among the people of the area. The MP described it as contrary to democratic values and the spirit of public participation.
Two major demands of the MP
Bhajan Lal Jatav placed two major demands from the Union Minister –
1. The notification of Karauli-Dholpur Tiger Reserve should be canceled with immediate effect.
2. In future, any such process should be taken forward only after the clear consent of the local villagers and public hearing.
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