Bahraich, Nov. 1 -- Even as the search for eight missing villagers, including five children, entered its third day on Friday after a boat capsized in the Kaudiyala river near Bharthapur village under Sujauli police station limits of Bahraich on Wednesday evening, the focus is back on the relocation plan for the villagers who live deep inside the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) in one of the most isolated and neglected settlements of the district.

Despite receiving full funding approval, the relocation plan is yet to be implemented in the village, which can only be reached by crossing the Geruwa river by boat and trekking through dense forest infested with tigers, elephants, and crocodiles.

Every monsoon, floods from the Geruwa and...