Top wildlife scientists ask for cancellation of SC tribal eviction order

Say petition against Forest Rights Act does not help wildlife conservation and should be withdrawn

More than 30 of India’s top ecologists, scientists and wildlife conservationists and have demanded that the petitioners withdraw their case against the Forest Rights Act and the government ensure the February 13 order of the Supreme Court for eviction of about 1.89 million tribal and forest-dwelling families be withdrawn.

They have called the Supreme Court order ‘unjust’ to the tribals as well as against the interest of wildlife conservation in India. In a statement issued jointly by the scientists they said, “We do not regard this order as pro-conservation. On the contrary, it is a real setback for conservation in