Afforestation under the World Bank-funded eco-developmental project is threatening the existence of tribals living in the buffer zone of the Pench national park. In a petition to the forest officers at Chhindwara, the tribals living in some of the affected villages like Deori, Deonara, Kunhargaon, Chhedia and Ghatkampta have alleged that the afforestation was being undertaken on agricultural land, which they have been tilling for several decades and for which they have the pattas(ownership rights). Moreover, according to them, even cremation grounds in some villages have been earmarked for plantation.