50% families inside TATR opt for Rs 10L cash relief

TNN | Dec 17, 2011, 01.55AM IST CHANDRAPUR: Almost 50% of the families living in two villages inside Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) set for relocation have opted for a cash compensation of Rs 10 lakh instead of seeking rehabilitation benefits. The rehabilitation process of village Navegaon (Ramdegi) and Jamni inside TATR has begun and the work on felling and land levelling is underway at the sites selected for relocation. With the high court setting a deadline of one year for relocation, the government machinery has expedited process in the second phase of rehabilitation. Navegaon village will be rehabilitated in compartment number 29 in Chimur forest range near village Khadsangi while Jamni village in number 42 of Chimur range near Dablapur. Villagers themselves have selected both the sites for rehabilitation. Authorities have identified 240 beneficiary families in Navegaon and 222 families in Jamni for rehabilitation. The government has put two options before the beneficiaries under Rs 10 lakh compensation package for rehabilitation. In the first case, the beneficiary takes the entire compensation amount denying rehabilitation. However, the administration will ensure that such beneficiaries aptly utilize the compensation amount. In the second case, the sum will be deposited with the administration and it will arrange for all residential and farming facilities at the rehabilitation site. CCF and field director of TATR Vinaykumar Sinha said, "129 families, including 110 landowners and 19 landless families in Navegaon (Ramdegi), have opted for seeking cash benefits. Similarly, 107 families, including 88 landowner and 19 landless families in Jamni, have decided to go for a cash benefit of Rs 10 lakh under the rehabilitation package." The remaining 111 families in Navegaon and 115 families in Jamni have agreed to avail rehabilitation benefits, he added. Meanwhile, the land record office in Chimur has completed the measurement of relocation site of both the villages. The town planning department has prepared gaothan map of the rehabilitation site of Navegaon village. The process of preparing gaothan map for relocation site of Jamni is underway. The work on tree felling and levelling of land at Navegaon site is in progress. At Jamni site, it is stalled due to lack of labourers, officials said. District collector Vijay Waghmare reviewed the progress of rehabilitation work in the meeting held on Wednesday. He said that the administration is hard-pressed to complete the work early following the high court directives. Better offer TATR had a total of six villages including Botezari, Kolsa, Navegaon (Ramdegi), Jamni, Rantalodhi and Kolsa inside the core area. Earlier in first phase of rehabilitation, entire Botezari village and part of Kolsa village was rehabilitated out of TATR at the site now known as Bhagwanpur in Mul forest range four years back. However, over 90 families of Kolsa had refused to move at the last moment citing lack of amenities at the rehabilitation site. The first phase of rehabilitation was carried out under the Rs 1 lakh rehabilitation package. However, to pursue the remaining villagers of Kolsa inside TATR, the government offered Rs 10 lakh rehabilitation package. TATR authorities and NGOs are negotiating and pursuing Kolsa villagers to move out of the tiger reserve. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/50-families-inside-TATR-opt-for-Rs-10L-cash-relief/articleshow/11138208.cms

Tiger wounded in fight with wild animals

PTI | 03:12 PM,Dec 16,2011 Udhagamandalam,Dec 16 (PTI) A 14-year-old male tiger, believed to have been injured during a fight with wild animals, is being treated at the Elephant camp near here, forest department officials said today. The wounded tiger was noticed by some villagers near Bokkapuram in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Three veterinarians staying at the Elephant camp in Theppakkadu brought the animal to the camp. The tiger's condition is normal now, forest department sources said.