The Times of India For Raju Karki (name changed) of Raimatang, one of the 12 villages dotting the core area of Buxa Tiger Reserve, sneaking into the forest on a cold February night for wood was
a usual affair. But that night, he couldn't dodge the forest guards.
What surprised him more was that a local politician came to his rescue
just when he was being packed off to jail. "It seemed strange but then I
realized the panchayat elections are ahead," says the first-time voter.
Like Karki, the settlers the settlers of 12 other
villages in the core area feel sheltered by the local leaders. They were
getting ready to move out but the politicians managed to thwart the
village relocation plan just before the last assembly polls by insisting
that the area doesn't fall in the core zone and won't qualify for a
relocation package.
