Relocation to Sustainable Livelihood: 4C Framework - Conservation, Community, Conflict, and Coexistence at Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Chickmagalur.

This study explores the integrated model of conservation and community rehabilitation undertaken in the Bhadra Tiger Reserve (BTR), Karnataka, through the lens of the 4Cs Framework—Conservation, Community, Conflict, and Coexistence. Titled “Enhancing Socio-Economic Rehabilitation for Forest Dwellers in Bhadra Tiger Reserve”, the research evaluates the outcomes of the voluntary relocation of 463 households from 16 core forest villages, such as Muthodi and Hebbe, to well-planned sites like M.C. Halli and Kelagur. The relocation aimed to balance ecological regeneration with socio-economic upliftment, aligned with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG-1 (No Poverty), SDG-4 (Quality Education), SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG-13 (Climate Action), and SDG-15 (Life on Land). Employing a mixed-method approach, the study gathered data from 273 households using surveys, FGDs, and interviews. Quantitative findings showed significant improvements in income, education (particularly for girls), infrastructure access, and a steep decline in human-wildlife conflict. Qualitative insights revealed enhanced community dignity but also persistent gaps in healthcare, irrigation, and livelihood diversification. Thematic analysis and word cloud visualization highlighted both the transformative and challenging aspects of rehabilitation. The research emphasizes Bhadra’s ethical and participatory resettlement approach—legal land rights, housing, and stakeholder collaboration—as a replicable model for rights-based conservation. However, sustained governmental support, continuous ecological monitoring, and context-specific skill development remain crucial for long-term success. The Bhadra model teaches that conservation is not about exclusion, but coexistence—a journey where forests, wildlife, and people thrive together. In a world facing ecological crises, Bhadra offers a powerful blueprint where development and biodiversity protection walk hand in hand, reaffirming that “The forest is born of man, and the tiger is born of the forest—none can survive in isolation.”