The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Supreme Court has sternly criticized former Uttarakhand Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat and Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kishan Chand for illegal constructions and deforestation within the Jim Corbett National Park. In response to these infractions, a committee has been established to evaluate the feasibility of tiger safaris in the park’s buffer zones and to establish guidelines for such activities if they are deemed permissible.
The Court’s rebuke stems from unauthorized activities in the park, including the construction of facilities for a tiger safari in the Pakhro and Morghatti forest areas, conducted in complete disregard of environmental laws and for commercial benefits. The bench highlighted the case as an exemplar of the damaging collusion between politicians and bureaucrats, which has severely impacted the environment for political and financial gains.
While a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into these violations is ongoing, the Court underscored the state’s responsibility to rectify the environmental damage inflicted. The state has been instructed to assess the extent of the damage and ensure restitution from those found culpable.
Acknowledging the integral role of tigers in maintaining ecosystem health, the Court emphasized the importance of protective measures for these apex predators. Despite a reported increase in tiger populations nationwide, the Court noted that illegal construction and deforestation in vital habitats, such as occurred in Corbett National Park, must be curbed to preserve ecological balance.
The CBI has been directed to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, with a status report due within three months. Concurrently, the Uttarakhand government is expected to conclude disciplinary actions against the officers involved within six months and provide a status update within three months.
This decision arises amid controversy surrounding proposed developments within Jim Corbett National Park, which conservationists argue could harm the area’s ecological integrity and endanger wildlife. The Supreme Court’s intervention, including a temporary halt on further construction within critical wildlife habitats, underscores the judiciary’s commitment to environmental preservation and the enforcement of legal protections for India’s natural heritage.
The case, part of the TN Godavarman Thirumulpad versus Union of India & Ors., continues to be monitored by the Supreme Court, ensuring that both investigative and restorative actions are pursued diligently to address the unauthorized exploitation of one of India’s premier wildlife sanctuaries.