Forest villagers protesting tourism restrictions in the Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) have decided to begin a relay hunger strike in Alipurduar town on October 28 to take their agitation to the district headquarters.
The announcement came after protesters demonstrated at the Rajabhatkhawa ticket counter in BTR for more than three hours on Monday. Homestays remained shut and car safaris were stopped as part of the agitation.
Forest villagers from across north Bengal joined Monday’s protest. They later marched to the Rajabhatkhawa range office and submitted a memorandum.
The sit-in at the Rajabhatkhawa check post entered its 21st day on Monday, with protesters saying the administration had failed to address their demands by the October 25 deadline they had set.
The protesters demanded that forest officials explain within 48 hours the legal basis for collecting entry fees on a road maintained by the public works department.
“We have intensified our movement from today. From Wednesday, we will start a relay hunger strike beside Dooars Kanya,” said Lal Singh Bhujel, convener of the North Bengal committee of the Ban Jan Sramojibi Manch.
Dooars Kanya is the district administration’s headquarters.
Bhujel said the hunger strike would also raise demands relating to forest rights.
The forest department imposed tourism restrictions after a tigress was released into the reserve on October 2.
Union environment and forest minister Bhupender Yadav, who was present for the release, said tourism would not be allowed in the reserve’s core area. He had asked officials to identify a location in the buffer area for an international-standard ecotourism facility.
The villagers are demanding the removal of the Rajabhatkhawa check post, permission for tourists to stay overnight at homestays in Jayanti and the resumption of car safaris.
Safari drivers and guides have also joined the movement.
Forest minister Manoj Oraon said he would meet forest villagers on November 1 to resolve the issue.
Bhujel, however, said the protesters had not received written confirmation of the proposed meeting.