## Policy Summary: Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve Notification
This document summarizes the response provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4076, concerning the Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve, answered on August 18, 2025. The question raised concerns regarding the alleged lack of consultation with Gram Sabhas and Panchayats during the notification process, potential violations of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013, potential displacement of thousands of families, and the need for project cancellation.
The Minister's response clarifies that consultations were conducted with 108 Gram Sabhas (60 in Dholpur District and 48 in Karauli District) for the buffer zone notification, as required under Section 38V (4)(ii) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The response asserts that the RFCTLARR Act, 2013, was not applicable, as the buffer notification did not involve land acquisition. The government maintains that the buffer zone aims to balance tiger habitat protection with the rights and livelihoods of local communities, managed through an approved Tiger Conservation Plan. Village relocation is voluntary, with relocation packages offered according to existing Central and State Government norms. Consequently, there is no proposal to cancel the project.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: A ministry of the Government of India.
DholpurKarauli Tiger Reserve: A tiger reserve located in Rajasthan, India.
SHRI BHAJAN LAL JATAV: Member of Parliament who raised the question in Lok Sabha.
Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013: An Act of the Parliament of India that regulates land acquisition and provides for compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement of affected persons.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Dholpur District, Rajasthan: A district in Rajasthan, India, where consultations were held for the tiger reserve buffer zone.
Karauli District, Rajasthan: A district in Rajasthan, India, where consultations were held for the tiger reserve buffer zone.
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: An Act of the Parliament of India enacted to protect plants and animal species.
OIH
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4076
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025
Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve
4076. SHRI BHAJAN LAL JATAV:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that neither meetings of the Gram
Sabha or Panchayat were held nor their prior consent was taken while notifying the
Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve;
(b) if so, whether it is not a clear violation of the Right to Fair Compensation and
Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR)
Act, 2013;
(c) if so, whether the Government is also aware of the fact that thousands of families
are likely to be displaced and their cultural and religious identity is at stake due to
this Project;
(d) whether the Government proposes to cancel this project by fixing administrative
accountability to protect the affected 108 villages, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to investigate and take action against the
officials violated the Act, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (e) As reported by the State, consultations with 108 Gram Sabhas - 60 in the Dholpur
District and 48 in the Karauli District were held for notification of buffer of the
Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve as required under 38V (4) (ii) of the Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972. Since the buffer notification did not involve any land
acquisition, the process under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in
Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013, was
not required.
The buffer zone notification aims to provide a lesser degree of protection
for the integrity of the critical tiger habitat while promoting the coexistence of
people and wildlife. It recognizes the livelihood, developmental, social, and
cultural rights of local communities. Such areas are managed according to the
approved Tiger Conservation Plan that facilitates livelihoods of local people
through constructive engagement. The relocation of villages is entirely voluntary,
with people receiving relocation packages as per extant norms of the Central and
State Governments. There is no proposal for cancellation of the aforesaid Project.
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