Tribal Residents Protest Eviction Drive Inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Around 150 residents from tribal hamlets located inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park stepped out in protest on Tuesday, raising slogans and holding placards against what they describe as a sudden and frightening eviction drive. The peaceful morcha took place outside the park and drew attention to the growing fear among tribal families who say they are being labelled as encroachers on land their ancestors have lived on for generations.
The protest began around 11 am and followed the appearance of eviction notices across several tribal settlements, locally known as padas. Residents claim the notices were pasted late at night, creating panic and confusion among families who woke up to find their homes marked for demolition.
What Do the Eviction Notices Say?
Forest Department Cites High Court Orders
The public notices issued by the office of the deputy director (South) of Sanjay Gandhi National Park state that an encroachment removal campaign will be carried out between January 19 and January 28, 2026. The notices warn that any unauthorised structures on forest land will be demolished and legal action will be taken against those who fail to vacate.
The notices also caution residents that any attempt to oppose the eviction drive could be treated as contempt of court. For many families living inside the park, this language has intensified fear and uncertainty.
Notices Allegedly Pasted in the Dead of Night
Residents Say Fear Was Deliberately Created
Protesters allege that the notices were pasted between 2 am and 3 am across multiple hamlets. According to residents, at least eight padas currently have eviction notices displayed.
“They are treating entire villages as encroachments,” said Sanjay Kavle, a resident who participated in the protest. He said families woke up to see warnings of demolition without any prior discussion or explanation.
For elderly residents and families with children, the timing of the notices added to the distress. Many said they felt threatened and unsure of what steps to take next.
Daily Life Disrupted After Notices Appeared
Basic Services Suddenly Cut Off
Residents claim that soon after the eviction notices were put up, several essential services were disrupted. Bus services that connected the hamlets to nearby areas were stopped, public toilets were shut, and access to permanent electricity remains unavailable.
“Earlier, buses ran till evening. Children depended on them to reach school,” Kavle said. “In the last few days, everything has been cut off. Life has become extremely difficult.”
Families say the disruption has affected school-going children, elderly residents, and those who depend on daily travel for work or medical needs.
‘This Is Our Ancestral Land,’ Say Protesters
Residents Reject Relocation Plans
According to protesters, forest department officials informed them that the eviction drive is based on a high court order and that families may be shifted to rehabilitation buildings under slum rehabilitation schemes.
However, residents strongly oppose this idea. “They are saying we will be shifted to SRA buildings, but this is our ancestral land,” Kavle said. “We do not want to move to rehabilitation colonies. Our identity and way of life are tied to this place.”
Many families say their ancestors lived in the forest long before it was declared a national park and that they have continued traditional livelihoods while coexisting with nature.
Activists Call It a Violation of Tribal Rights
Forest Rights Act at the Centre of the Dispute
Activist Amrita Bhattacharjee, who has been supporting the protesters, described the eviction drive as a serious violation of tribal rights. She said tribals cannot be treated as encroachers and relocated to urban housing projects.
“Tribal rights are protected under law,” she said. “Under the Forest Rights Act, recognition of rights is a separate legal process. That process has not been completed here.”
She added that relocation without completing the required legal steps undermines the purpose of the Forest Rights Act, which was enacted to protect forest-dwelling communities.
Gram Sabha Process Still Pending
Residents Say No Verification Has Taken Place
Protesters pointed out that the recognition of their rights under the Forest Rights Act is still pending. Gram sabha processes, which are mandatory for determining forest rights, have not been completed in their villages.
“Without finishing that process, how can they call us encroachers?” Kavle asked. He said villagers are now working with local committees and gram sabhas to stop the eviction drive.
Residents allege that their names were included in an encroachment list without proper verification or consultation.
Background: Eviction Concerns Began Months Ago
Relocation Plans Sparked Opposition in 2025
The issue has been building for several months. In October 2025, the state government indicated that tribals identified as encroachers inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park would be relocated to rehabilitation buildings in areas such as Marol-Maroshi.
At that time, tribal groups strongly opposed the move, arguing that relocation without completing Forest Rights Act procedures was illegal. Tuesday’s protest is a continuation of that resistance.
Court-Appointed Committee and Encroachment Removal
Tribals Say They Are Being Misclassified
The current eviction action follows directions from a high court-appointed committee tasked with removing encroachments from the national park. However, tribal residents insist they should not be grouped with illegal occupants.
“We have lived here for generations,” protesters said. “We are being included in an encroachment list without checking our history or rights.”
Residents argue that conservation efforts should not come at the cost of displacing indigenous communities who have traditionally protected forest ecosystems.
Silence From Authorities Adds to Anxiety
No Official Response Yet
Forest department officials did not respond to requests for clarification regarding the eviction notices or the concerns raised by tribal residents. The lack of official communication has further increased anxiety among families living inside the park.
Protesters say clear answers are needed to prevent misinformation and panic.
Protests to Continue Until Demands Are Met
Residents Seek Withdrawal of Notices and Restoration of Services
Tribal residents say they will continue protesting until the eviction notices are withdrawn, essential services are restored, and authorities publicly clarify that tribal hamlets will not be treated as encroachments.
“Our homes, culture, and livelihoods are at stake,” said one protester. “We want dialogue, not force.”
As tensions continue to rise, the situation inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park has become a critical test of how development, conservation, and tribal rights are balanced in one of India’s largest urban national parks.
