Village relocation is regarded as one of the most
important management practices in the tiger reserve to reclaim additional
wildlife habitat for increasing number of ungulates and consequent support to
the tiger population. As per the guidelines/ instructions issued from the
National Tiger Conservation Authority, New Delhi and the State Government, the
Kanha management has put in tremendous efforts in gently persuading and
encouraging target villages to relocate outside the protected area and join the
mainstream of progress and development. The village relocation programme had
actually started in 1967-1969 when the first village, Sonf, was relocated. This programme continued under different schemes, and so far
37 forest villages have been relocated outside. The Kanha management has reclaimed good chunks of
around 80.52 sq. km. of flat land. The Kanha management has turned these reclaimed lands
into excellent wildlife habitats attracting a number of wild animal species. Presently, there is no forest
village in the core zone.