Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options

after having been approved by the International Development Association
(IDA) and the GEF on September 5th, 1996. The project was slated to meet
the expenses for project preparation, improved protected area
management, village eco-development, education, and awareness,
impact monitoring and research, overall project management and
preparation of future biodiversity projects. The Indian Institute of Public
Administration (IIPA) drew up the project in November 1993 and the
agreement was signed on the 28th July 1996. The sanctuaries and national
parks identified are Buxa Tiger Reserve (West Bengal), Gir National Park
(Gujarat), Palamau Tiger Reserve (Bihar), Pench Tiger Reserve (Madhya
Pradesh), Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala), Ranthambor Tiger Reserve
(Rajasthan) and Nagarhole National Park (Karnataka).
The Bank's Operational Directive 4.2 on Indigenous People (IP) is to
ensure that the IP do not suffer adverse effects, that there is informed
participation and that they benefit. 4.3 on Involuntary Resettlement
provides guidelines and principles like the improved relocation or at least
restore economic base and living standards, involvement of the project
affected in resettlement and a compensation package. Intense criticism on
the destructive impact of WB projects in the past and sustained resistance
from the project affected leading to huge cost over-runs and hence,
reduced economic viability, had forced the Bank to introduce these
directives. The Karnataka Government confirmed that since 1994
reappraisal, they have not initiated any activities that could be considered
as implementation of a resettlement plan that has not been reviewed by the
Bank. In Nagarhole, the total population of the project area was estimated
to be 72,652. The Forest Department had prepared a proposal to relocate
all the 6145 adivasis. The proposal is to resettle the people in the H.D.Kote
Taluk. Majority of the people have already experienced displacement more
than once when the area was declared a sanctuary and major dams were
constructed across the rivers Kabini, Tharaka and Nugu. However, the
resettlement could not be carried out for a number of reasons, primarily the
resistance to the relocation plan itself from the people and the non-release
of funds from the Centre. The World Bank has insisted that no "involuntary
resettlement" will take place as per their directives and that any such
process would be after the conSUltation and participation of the adivasis.
The adivasi leaders had met the World Bank Inspection Panel, which
visited Nagarhole during the first week of September 1 999. They had
--;m
Nilagiris : Fading Glory 32