Tigers are India’s national animal. But instead of protecting them in the most accountable, transparent and effective manner possible, the forest bureaucracy has been intent instead on taking over more power for itself.

In 2006, after the Government of India’s Tiger Task Force pointed out that violation of communities’ rights was both unjust and dangerous to tigers, the Wild Life (Protection) Act was amended to provide for a balanced process of scientifically deciding on tiger habitats and resettling people from these areas. Has the government complied? No. The forest bureaucracy did not allow them to. Instead, it has gone on a land grabbing spree again, endangering both people and tigers.

See our summary note on illegal steps taken in 2007 – 2009 that created the current situation; and some further details of illegalities in tiger reserves.