Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has recommended the state government to form a high-level, multi-departmental inquiry committee within four weeks to investigate the procedural flaws and irregularities in relocating villages from Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Angul district.
The February 9 order stated that the body should comprise senior officials from the Forest, ST & SC Development, Revenue, and Law Departments, along with an independent expert in wildlife law and rehabilitation policies. It is tasked to review village-specific violations, verify beneficiary lists, evaluate compensation gaps, and propose remedies, including potential disciplinary or criminal proceedings against officials responsible.
The Commission has asked the Chief Secretary to decide who will head the multi-party inquiry committee and submit a compliance report.
The OHRC described the multiple violations, including the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, and guidelines from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), as clear breaches of human rights and statutory protections. It has also prohibited any further relocation of villages from the buffer, fringe, or ringed-out areas of Satkosia until the inquiry is complete. Such actions may only proceed if forest rights are fully settled under the FRA, valid Gram Sabha resolutions are obtained with proper quorum, and the process receives explicit approval from the Forest and Environment department, it added.
The Commission issued the directions while acting on complaints filed by the affected residents of Bhurukundi, Asanbahal, Kataranga, Tuluka, Tikarapada, Gopalpur, and other adjoining villages, who alleged violations of their basic human rights due to irregularities in the relocation process.
Over 650 families have been relocated so far. Natives of 5 villages were shifted out of Satkosia between 2017 and 2025. The process is still underway in two others.
