Paradip: The state government has decided to relocate the 90 families, who illegally stay in the core area of the Bhitarkanika National Park, at Bagapatia.

These families have encroached upon nearly 10 acres in the Charigharia forest block, making it the sole instance of encroachment in the park. About four families had settled down in the areas in the aftermath of 1971 cyclone. Subsequently, there has been a steady human influx into the Charigharia forest block with the number of families now swelling to 90.

However, the move to evict the people has faced opposition from various quarters.

"The district administration has initiated measures to rehabilitate the would-be displaced people on humanitarian ground though they have no legal right to dwell in the national park," said Kendrapara collector Regu G.

"On directions received from the higher authorities, the encroachers are being relocated at the proposed Bagapatia resettlement colony. The sea erosion-hit residents of Satabhaya gram panchayat are also being resettled there. After the Satabhaya people are rehabilitated, the Chari-gharia encroachers would be resettled there," he said.

"The families will be handed over the record of rights of 10 decimals homestead land. They will also be disbursed Rs 1.50 lakh housing grants to build houses under the Biju Pucca Ghar scheme. The squatters would be accommodated on a 15 acres at Bagapatia," said Rajnagar tehsildar Khirod Kumar Behera.

The national park authorities had earlier served eviction notices on the families. Drive had been launched on number of occasions to make the national park areas encroachment free. But, it failed to yield the desired results following people's protest.

After making it squatter-free, mangrove regeneration plan will be taken up on the reclaimed land, said a forester.

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