Displaced Tribe Reclaims Ancestral Homes in Indian Tiger Reserve

In a bold move, the Jenu Kuruba, an Indigenous tribe in southern India, have reoccupied their ancestral homes in the Nagarhole tiger reserve. The tribe was forcefully evicted from the area during the 1980s when it was declared a protected wildlife zone.

For decades, the Jenu Kuruba have been fighting legal battles to regain access to their land, which they claim is rightfully theirs under India's Forest Rights Act. However, their efforts have largely been unsuccessful, leading dozens of families to take matters into their own hands.

In May 2025, around 150 Jenu Kuruba people set up camps within the Nagarhole reserve, determined to reclaim their rightful place in the forest. They have been picketing the safari tours that bring tourists to see the tigers, arguing that these tours have commercialized the very land that was taken from them.

The authorities, however, have opposed the Jenu Kuruba's settlement, tearing down six of the shelters they had built. The tribe is now going through an appeals process, and the state's high court has ruled that they cannot be evicted until a final decision is made.

The Jenu Kuruba's fight is not just about regaining access to their ancestral lands; it is also a battle against the conventional conservation models that have often displaced Indigenous communities in the name of protecting wildlife. They argue that their traditional practices, which are deeply rooted in the forest environment, are in harmony with the ecosystem and should be recognized.

As the standoff continues, the Jenu Kuruba remain steadfast in their determination to reclaim their rightful place in the Nagarhole tiger reserve, a place they have called home for generations.