Tribal Community Opposes Turning M.M. Hills into Tiger Reserve Amid Relocation Fears

On October 29, 2025, the Forest Department is set to hold a public hearing to gather opinions from the local community on the proposed upgrade of the M.M. Hills Wildlife Sanctuary to a tiger reserve. This proposal has been pending for several years, despite approvals from the National Board for Wildlife and the State Board for Wildlife.

However, the plan has faced strong opposition from the local tribal community, particularly the Jenu Kurubas, Betta Kurubas, and Soligas, who make up a population of around 45,000 people living within the 903 sq. km sanctuary. They fear that the declaration of the area as a tiger reserve will result in their relocation, disrupting their deep-rooted relationship with the forest and its resources.

The debate over the sanctuary's status was reignited in July 2025 following the tragic deaths of five tigers, including a mother and her four cubs, due to poisoning. This incident prompted the Forest Minister to direct officials to hold the public hearing and address the concerns of the local villagers. While conservationists argue that upgrading the sanctuary to a tiger reserve would help protect the tiger population and its habitat, the tribal community remains steadfast in its opposition, viewing the move as a conspiracy to evict them from their ancestral lands.