862 Gujjar families seek relocation from Shyampur range

DEHRADUN: Around 862 families of Gujjars settled in the Shyampur range of Haridwar Forest Division have submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate of Haridwar giving a deadline of July 21 for their relocation outside the forest. Else, they threatened to go on a hunger strike. It is for the first time that the Gujjars in the state have gone on agitation mode pressing for their relocation.In most occasions, they have to be convinced to vacate the areas that they occupy. Wildlife activists, too, are supporting the Gujjars in their demand as it was after relocation of Gujjars from Chilla range of Rajaji, the tiger numbers grew exponentially in that area. Shyampur is not only a range of Haridwar but also a buffer zone of Rajaji Tiger Reserve.
Shamshad Gujjar, Pradhan of gujjar community of Shyampur range said, “Ever since Rajaji has been upgraded as tiger reserve with Shyampur range as its buffer zone, presence of tigers has also increased due to better protection. In past, our cattle has been killed by tigers while many gujjars have been injured. So we are demanding for relocation from DM. It was our last ultimatum to the DM for relocation, after which we will sit on indefinite strike in the DM office.”
He said, they don’t need monetary compensation but land. Principal chief conservator of forests , Rajinder Mahajan said, there is strong possibility of duplication of number of gujjars, hence a survey is required to be conducted to have clear cut data of those living in Shyampur range, only after that the compensation mode can be finalized.
According to Rajiv Mehta, wildlife warden of Rajaji (Honorary), since the gujjars themselves are willing to relocate, so the forest department must cash in on the opportunity to shift them. This will pave way for good growth of tigers in the Rajaji. He said, gujjars who are living inhuman life without good education, health and basic amenities will have better prospectus outside.
Bivash Pandav, scientist with Wildlife Institute of India said, “ After the voluntary relocation of gujjars from Motichur, Kansrau, Ranipur, Dholkhand East and Dholkhand West ranges of Western Rajaji, the habitat as well as wild ungulate prey species have shown good recovery. Shyampur Range of Hardiwar forest division lies immediately south of Chilla Range of Rajaji. With the speedy tiger recovery in Chilla Range after gujjars relocation from there, we are getting increasing evidences of tiger use of Shyampur Range. Presence of large number of people and their live stock in Shyampur along with increased tiger use of the area has also escalated human tiger conflict in the region. Hence gujjars should be relocated from Shyampur," said Pandav.