Chenchu villagers allege forgery by forest officials in relocation process under Project Tiger

A group of Chenchu villagers from the Amrabad Tiger Reserve have levelled allegations of forgery against forest officials who were instrumental in the village relocation process under the Project Tiger.

In a notice issued to the Chief Secretary and chairperson of the State Level Monitoring Committee under the Forest Rights Act, a total 32 persons from the Sarlapally village panchayat alleged that the Village Relocation Committee was constituted through a Gram Sabha resolution in 2021, in which sarpanch Chigurla Mallikarjun’s signature was forged by deputy sarpanch aided by the then DFO, FDO and Mandal Parishad Development Officer, and a wildlife NGO.

The notice claimed that the relocation proposals were in violation of the Forest Rights Act, and Wildlife (Protection) Act, and another Gram Sabha resolution was passed in February this year against the same.

The notice requested action against the officials concerned, and a detailed enquiry into the entire process of relocation. It also sought review of individual, and community forest rights settlement under the FRA.

Forest officials dismissed the allegations, saying there was no truth in them. Only people willing for relocation are being shifted, and no forgery took place, they said.