Chenchu adivasis oppose relocation, demand rights over Nallamalla forests
HYDERABAD: Chenchu Adivasis and civil society groups have strongly opposed relocation from the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, alleging violations of legal safeguards and lack of consent.
During a series of meetings last week, including a round table held in Hyderabad on April 17, community members submitted representations through the Prajavani grievance cell. They demanded protection of their rights over the Nallamalla forests. Meanwhile, officials, including State Planning Board Vice-Chairman Chinna Reddy, assured them that their rights would be safeguarded. He also directed forest authorities to follow the law.
Chenchu representatives from villages such as Sarlapally, Vatwarlapally, and Kollampenta rejected the relocation packages offered in March 2026. They said authorities issued cheques without proper consultation or approval from Gram Sabhas. As a result, the community questioned the legitimacy of the process.
“We do not want money or land elsewhere. Instead, we will survive in the forest that has sustained us,” said Chiguru Nagamma of Kommanipenta. She also recalled earlier experiences of displacement.
Furthermore, community members argued that relocation outside Scheduled Areas would strip them of access to forest resources. It would also weaken their constitutional safeguards. In addition, they claimed that authorities denied them development benefits such as loans and welfare schemes due to the relocation tag.
At the consultation, activists raised concerns over the poor implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. They also alleged misuse of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 to justify displacement. Moreover, they pointed to violations of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 and the Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
Some participants further alleged that authorities filed false cases against Chenchu youth and leaders. They also said the “voluntary relocation” narrative was misleading. According to them, non-local beneficiaries were included in consent processes, which raised serious concerns.
Civil rights activist Prof. Haragopal said economic interests and resource extraction pressures are driving attempts to move Adivasi communities out of forests.
Meanwhile, the Chenchu Solidarity Forum (CSF), launched on the eve of World Earth Day, pledged support for the community. It also advocated a co-existence model within the Amrabad Tiger Reserve. In this context, the forum called for declaring the Nallamalla forests a “Chenchu Conservation Bio-Region Reserve,” citing the community’s ecological knowledge and deep-rooted connection to the region.
The forum and community representatives urged the Telangana government to immediately halt cheque distribution and relocation efforts. They also demanded recognition of community forest and habitat rights under the Forest Rights Act. Furthermore, they sought public disclosure of studies, consent records, and rehabilitation plans. They called for the withdrawal of cases against Chenchu leaders and stressed the need to strengthen community-led forest governance. Finally, they emphasised protecting the Nallamalla ecosystem through a conservation-based model.
