Police Raid Tribal Settlements Inside Nagarahole Tiger Reserve
By CORD
A note from CORD
CORD shares this statement in the public interest as part of our commitment to amplifying the voices of rural and Adivasi communities of the Coorg (Kodagu) region. The content, analysis, and demands expressed herein are entirely those of the Nagarahole Adivasi Jammapale Hakku Sthapana Samiti (NAJHSS). We have preserved the original statement faithfully.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in presenting the Union Budget, announced that the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) summit would be held in Nagarahole and Bandipur, Karnataka, from 9–12 February 2026. The summit, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2023 to mark 50 years of tiger conservation in India, brings together delegates from more than 20 countries.
But for the Jenu Kuruba, Beta Kuruba, Paniya, and Yerava communities who have inhabited these forests for generations, the summit arrives not as a celebration — but as yet another chapter in a long, painful history of dispossession carried out in the name of conservation.
But for the Jenu Kuruba, Beta Kuruba, Paniya, and Yerava communities who have inhabited these forests for generations, the summit arrives not as a celebration — but as yet another chapter in a long, painful history of dispossession carried out in the name of conservation.
"All 58 officially declared tiger reserves in India have been notified on Indigenous ancestral lands — without ever obtaining free, prior, and informed consent of the communities who have lived there for centuries."
60 Years: From Sacred Forest to Protected Area
The legal status of these forests has changed repeatedly over 160 years — each change bringing further displacement of the communities who depend on them.
1870s
Nagarahole forests declared a Reserved Forest under colonial administration — the first in a series of legal measures that would progressively restrict Adivasi access and rights.
Nagarahole forests declared a Reserved Forest under colonial administration — the first in a series of legal measures that would progressively restrict Adivasi access and rights.
1955
Redesignated as a Game Reserve. Traditional hunting and gathering practices increasingly criminalised.
Redesignated as a Game Reserve. Traditional hunting and gathering practices increasingly criminalised.
1973
Project Tiger launched nationally, with support from international conservation agencies. Indigenous communities across India begin facing systematic forced displacement from tiger habitats.
Project Tiger launched nationally, with support from international conservation agencies. Indigenous communities across India begin facing systematic forced displacement from tiger habitats.
Mid-1980s
Declared Rajiv Gandhi National Park. Communities allege the notification did not follow due process under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, nor was Gram Sabha consent sought.
Declared Rajiv Gandhi National Park. Communities allege the notification did not follow due process under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, nor was Gram Sabha consent sought.
2005–2007
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) created in 2005. Nagarahole declared a Tiger Reserve in 2007. NAJHSS states forced evictions were relabelled as "voluntary relocation," causing lasting damage to livelihoods and cultures.
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) created in 2005. Nagarahole declared a Tiger Reserve in 2007. NAJHSS states forced evictions were relabelled as "voluntary relocation," causing lasting damage to livelihoods and cultures.
June 2023
NTCA issues a directive on 19 June that communities across India decry as intensifying threats to Indigenous existence. No clarification or redressal has been provided despite widespread protest.
NTCA issues a directive on 19 June that communities across India decry as intensifying threats to Indigenous existence. No clarification or redressal has been provided despite widespread protest.
Jan 2026
Following a historic foot march through Nagarahole villages, the UN CERD Committee formally writes to the Government of India, recognising decades of human rights violations. To date, no authority has responded.
Following a historic foot march through Nagarahole villages, the UN CERD Committee formally writes to the Government of India, recognising decades of human rights violations. To date, no authority has responded.
Indigenous Peoples of Nagarahole
Four distinct Indigenous communities — collectively represented by NAJHSS — assert traditional rights over Nagarahole forests. Their customs and governance systems are recognised under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA), and the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
Jenu Kuruba
Honey gatherers; forest stewards for generations
Honey gatherers; forest stewards for generations
Beta Kuruba
Forest-dependent; traditional ecological knowledge
Forest-dependent; traditional ecological knowledge
Paniya
Agricultural and forest community of the Western Ghats
Agricultural and forest community of the Western Ghats
Yerava
Indigenous peoples of Kodagu region
Indigenous peoples of Kodagu region
These communities hold that the tiger, elephant, leopard, bear, peacock, and the water sources of Nagarahole are worshipped as deities. Protecting forests and animal spirits has been a sacred duty embedded in their traditional governance for generations — a worldview in which humans, animals, and forests are considered equals.
What the Law Says — and What Communities Allege Is Being Ignored
India's Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, was enacted to address the historic injustice of colonial and post-colonial forest policies by recognising forest-dwelling communities' rights to land and livelihoods. NAJHSS alleges that despite this legal framework, community forest rights — including the habitat rights of Jenu Kurubas under the FRA — have been "unlawfully denied and unjustly stamped out" in the name of tiger conservation.
Among the specific violations cited: forest officials have threatened community members and filed false cases even for conducting sacred rituals to worship clan deities; and community lands are being used for tourism and wildlife projects without consent.
Among the specific violations cited: forest officials have threatened community members and filed false cases even for conducting sacred rituals to worship clan deities; and community lands are being used for tourism and wildlife projects without consent.
A Message to the Delegates: The Sign at the Forest Gate
NAJHSS urges all international delegates attending the IBCA summit to read and reflect on the signboard placed at the Nanachi forest check gate and safari point, which NAJHSS describes as "illegally constructed":
Nagarahole Forests — Indigenous Ancestral Territory
You are now entering Indigenous ancestral lands. This forest is the home of Indigenous Adivasi communities. Here, forests, animals, and people are equals. Nagarahole, declared as Rajiv Gandhi National Park and Tiger Reserve, was notified without following due process of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and without the consent of Gram Sabhas. This declaration is rejected by the Nagarahole Adivasi Jammapale Hakku Sthapana Samiti, Indigenous traditional governance bodies and Gram Sabhas. Please conduct yourself with dignity and respect in this area.
You are now entering Indigenous ancestral lands. This forest is the home of Indigenous Adivasi communities. Here, forests, animals, and people are equals. Nagarahole, declared as Rajiv Gandhi National Park and Tiger Reserve, was notified without following due process of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and without the consent of Gram Sabhas. This declaration is rejected by the Nagarahole Adivasi Jammapale Hakku Sthapana Samiti, Indigenous traditional governance bodies and Gram Sabhas. Please conduct yourself with dignity and respect in this area.
Key Demands from the Nagarahole Communities Addressed to Government and Conservation Bodies
Legal and moral recognition of community forest rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, including habitat rights of Jenu Kurubas.
A formal response from MoEF&CC, NTCA, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and the Karnataka Government to the UN CERD Committee's letter of 19 January 2026.
Clarity and redressal on the NTCA directive of 19 June 2023, which communities say intensifies threats to their existence.
An immediate halt to the use of community lands for tourism and wildlife projects without free, prior, and informed consent.
Recognition that forced evictions carried out as "voluntary relocations" constitute a rights violation under domestic and international law.
A formal response from MoEF&CC, NTCA, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and the Karnataka Government to the UN CERD Committee's letter of 19 January 2026.
Clarity and redressal on the NTCA directive of 19 June 2023, which communities say intensifies threats to their existence.
An immediate halt to the use of community lands for tourism and wildlife projects without free, prior, and informed consent.
Recognition that forced evictions carried out as "voluntary relocations" constitute a rights violation under domestic and international law.
Original Statement Issued By:
Nagarahole Adivasi Jamma Paale Hakku Sthapana Samiti (NAJHSS)
Mysuru & Kodagu, Karnataka
Contact Persons:
JK Thimma – 9740664079
PC Ramu – 8197620535
This article is adapted and republished for awareness purposes based on the original press release issued by NAJHSS. The views and statements expressed belong to the original issuing organisation.
Mysuru & Kodagu, Karnataka
Contact Persons:
JK Thimma – 9740664079
PC Ramu – 8197620535
This article is adapted and republished for awareness purposes based on the original press release issued by NAJHSS. The views and statements expressed belong to the original issuing organisation.