The only relocation on the anvil is for 320 tribal families in the core area. These families want relocation and have even petitioned the Madras High Court. The only tribals who will continue to live in the core are those employed by the forest department as anti-poaching watchers and mahouts. The captive elephants once used for timber extraction are now used for eco tourism, patrolling for anti poaching operations. Most tribals live in the three settlements of Tekapadi, Light Padi and Camp Padi. In 2008 an eco-development council was started and 198 families became members.
The tribals no longer go to the forest to collect minor forest produce. But they have fears about the tiger reserve declaration.