GO 49 Halted Amid Adivasi Concerns on Tiger Reserve Plan

Quick Summary

• The Telangana State government has put the proposal to create Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve on hold.
• This tiger corridor was planned to connect Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, covering 1.49 lakh hectares across multiple forest ranges in kumurambheem-Asifabad district.
• The proposal potentially displaced tribal residents from over 330 villages, restricting thier forest rights and livelihoods.
• Adivasi organizations protested,citing violations of the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act,1996,which protects tribal rights.
• the government reviewed the situation after receiving reports from stakeholders and local officials. Based on these findings, it decided to defer implementation until further notice.
• Senior ministers conducted consultations before submitting recommendations to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.
• Forest Minister Konda Surekha emphasized that the Congress-led government prioritizes the welfare of tribal communities.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The decision by Telangana’s State government reflects an acknowledgment of both environmental goals and socio-political realities where tribal rights are concerned. While conservation initiatives like tiger corridors play a critical role in biodiversity preservation, thay must be balanced against human settlement concerns-especially in areas with significant tribal populations dependent on forests for their livelihoods as protected under laws like PESA.

This episode underscores a larger national debate about reconciling ecological preservation with indigenous people’s rights-a task requiring sensitivity to diverse stakeholder interests.By postponing action following protests and consultations, Telangana exhibits responsiveness but faces challenges if option measures or compensations aren’t explored soon. long-term solutions will need both careful planning for wildlife protection alongside sustainable advancement for impacted communities.

Read more: Published – july 21, 2025