Mon Sep 15 16:20:01 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article based on it:

**Summary:**

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in India has launched an investigation into allegations that the Odisha Forest Department fraudulently obtained consent from villagers in Bakua, Mayurbhanj district for relocation from the core areas of the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR). The villagers claim that STR authorities are trying to evict them without proper consent as mandated by law and have manipulated documents to divert forest land for relocation purposes.

**News Article:**

**Ministry Probes Alleged Fraud in Similipal Tiger Reserve Relocation**

*Bhubaneswar, September 15, 2025* – The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has initiated an investigation into allegations of fraudulent practices surrounding the proposed relocation of villagers from the core areas of the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Odisha.

The probe was launched following formal complaints by residents of Bakua village, Mayurbhanj district, who accuse the Odisha Forest Department of using unlawful means to obtain consent for forest diversion and their relocation.

According to a letter addressed to the Ministry by the Baku Gram Sabha, Similipal Tiger Reserve authorities are “making clandestine attempts to evict us without our Gram Sabha’s prior informed consent,” a move they claim violates key sections of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006, the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, and the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989.

Villagers further allege that they discovered a covert plan to relocate them to a “Land Bank” created through forest diversion at Pahadpur village. They claim that the STR authorities fabricated and manipulated documents in an online proposal for the diversion of 21.659 hectares of forest land.

Opposing the relocation, the Bakua villagers are demanding that the Ministry deny initial clearance for the land diversion proposed for their resettlement. The investigation aims to determine the veracity of these claims and ensure compliance with relevant laws protecting the rights of tribal communities and traditional forest dwellers. The outcome of the probe could have significant implications for future conservation efforts and community relations within the Similipal Tiger Reserve.

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