Relocation of Villages from Satkosia Tiger Reserve

• Village relocation: Villages located inside the Satkosia Tiger Reserve are being considered/relocated outside the core tiger habitat.
• Objective: To reduce human pressure on critical tiger habitat and improve the conservation of tigers and their prey base.
• Core issue: The relocation process seeks to balance wildlife conservation with the rights and livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.

Satkosia Tiger Reserve — Prelims Pointers

• Location: Odisha
• Landscape: Situated along the Mahanadi River.
• Tiger Reserve: Declared in 2007.
• Tiger habitat: Part of the Eastern Ghats landscape.
• Core components: Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary + Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary.
• River: The Mahanadi flows through the reserve, creating the famous Satkosia Gorge.
• Fauna: Tiger, leopard, elephant, gaur, sambar, crocodile and several other species.
• Ecological significance: Important habitat for tiger conservation and biodiversity in Odisha.

Legal & Policy Framework

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Provides the broader legal framework for protected areas and wildlife conservation.
• Project Tiger: Relocation from critical tiger habitats can form part of tiger conservation strategies.
• NTCA: The National Tiger Conservation Authority provides policy and technical guidance for tiger-reserve management.
• Rights of communities: Relocation must recognise the rights and interests of forest-dwelling communities under applicable laws.
• Voluntary relocation: Relocation should follow due process and should not become a mechanism for forced displacement.

UPSC Prelims Question — English

Q. With reference to Satkosia Tiger Reserve, consider the following statements:

1. It is located in Odisha.
2. The Mahanadi River passes through the reserve and forms the Satkosia Gorge.
3. It forms part of the Eastern Ghats landscape.
4. It is located in the Western Ghats.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: B

Explanation: Satkosia Tiger Reserve is located in Odisha, along the Mahanadi River, and forms part of the Eastern Ghats landscape. It is not located in the Western Ghats.