Four years on, 3,000 residents in Rajasthan's tiger reserve await relocation

Nearly 3,000 residents of eight villages inside the core area of Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) in Rajasthan await relocation four years after its notification in May 2022.

Voluntary relocation began in the first phase for three buffer zone villages: Gulkhedi (70% families vacated), Bherupura Antri (150 of 264 families received first instalment), and Bheemganj.

Forest department offers three compensation models: Cash Package (₹15 lakh), Land Package (alternative agricultural land), and DLC Package for non-resident landholders.

Second and third instalment payouts are pending due to state budget allocations and land availability issues; a proposal to de-reserve 244 hectares in Keshavpura forest block has received first-stage clearance from the central government.