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Inspection Panel announces results of review of India Ecodevelopment Project

​CONTACT: Eduardo G. Abbott (202)458-5200

WASHINGTON, December 22, 1998 - The World Bank's Board of Directors on the December 10, 1998, reviewed the Inspection Panel's report on the Request for Inspection for the India Ecodevelopment Project. The Panel's report was prepared in response to a request filed by a group representing some of the local inhabitants of Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarahole, Karnataka State, India, who alleged that Bank Management had failed to comply with the Bank's policies and guidelines with respect to indigenous peoples and involuntary resettlement.

The project has the twin aims of supporting management of protected areas of significant global diversity, and protecting local people living in and around the areas. Tribal development concerns are central to the project. The Request from tribal people at one of the seven sites—Rajiv Ghandi (Nagarahole) National Park in Karnataka--claimed that no specific indigenous peoples plan had been prepared with the informed participation of affected indigenous/tribal groups. They fear that they will not have the choice of remaining in their forest habitats which are their socio-cultural life base.

The World Bank's Board agreed that the Panel's findings must be addressed, and it instructed Management to work with government officials at the state and federal levels on measures to address them, and to report back to the Board in about six months. In preparing its report, Management will conduct further consultations with local people as envisaged by the project. Management was also asked to keep the Panel informed. It was agreed that the Panel would separately give its comments on Management's report to the Board.

Given an effective and comprehensive preliminary assessment by the Panel, helpful clarifications received from the Government of Karnataka, and Management's commitment to a responsive follow-up, the Board decided, and the Panel agreed, that no investigation was necessary at this time.

In his concluding remarks, the Chairman thanked the Inspection Panel for its very effective, quick, and constructive work on the case.

For more information on the Inspection Panel, please visit our website:http://www.worldbank.org(search "Inspection Panel") or call the World Bank Public Information Center (202) 458-5454