Supreme Court Rebukes Uttarakhand Minister for Environmental Damage: Corbett Tiger Reserve Scandal Unveiled
The Supreme Court bench headed by Justice B R Gavai, comprising Justices PK Mishra and Sandeep Mehta said that the nexus between politicians and forest officials has resulted in causing heavy damage to the environment for some political and commercial gain.
The Supreme Court of India has come down heavily on former Uttarakhand minister Harak Singh Rawat and former divisional forest officer Kishan Chand for approving mass-scale of deforestation and illegal construction in the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR).
An apex court bench headed by Justice B R Gavai, comprising Justices PK Mishra and Sandeep Mehta said that the nexus between politicians and forest officials has resulted in causing heavy damage to the environment for some political and commercial gain.
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Rawat, who was the forest minister in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in 2021 is now with the Congress party.
The court’s judgment came on a petition filed by environment activist and lawyer Gaurav Bansal alleging the destruction of the tiger habitat and a decline in the tiger density in the Lansdowne Forest Division owing to illegal construction in the Pakhro Tiger Safari as well as illicit cutting of trees.
The Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court had earlier held Rawat and and Kishan Chand responsible for various illegal activities, including constructions in connection with a tiger safari in 2021, in the Pakhro and Morghatti forest areas of the Kalagarh Forest Division of the Corbett Tiger Reserve.
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In its report submitted to the apex court, the committee held Rawat and Chand guilty of illegal construction activities in the Pakhro and Morghatti forest areas.
It had also given its green signal to the Uttarakhand vigilance department to continue with the legal proceedings against the forest officials involved in the irregularities.
The committee had said even when the media was reporting all kinds of disturbances in Pakhro and Morghatti, the then-chief wildlife warden and the state government did not take action against the culprits.
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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the case at present. The Supreme Court has asked the CBI to submit a status report in three months.
“Since the matter is pending investigation by the CBI, we do not propose to comment any further on the matter. We have also observed that this cannot be done by two persons only. Many other persons must have been involved,” the bench said.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has permitted the establishment of tiger safari in the peripheral and buffer zones of the reserved forest Jim Corbett subject to the conditions.
FAQ: Supreme Court Rebukes Uttarakhand Minister for Environmental Damage: Corbett Tiger Reserve Scandal Unveiled
1. What were the specific allegations against Harak Singh Rawat and Kishan Chand?
The allegations included mass deforestation and illegal construction activities within the Corbett Tiger Reserve, particularly in the Pakhro and Morghatti forest areas.
2. What actions has the Supreme Court taken against the accused individuals?
The Supreme Court has heavily criticized Harak Singh Rawat and Kishan Chand for their involvement in the illegal activities and has instructed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a thorough investigation. Additionally, the Court has allowed the establishment of a tiger safari under certain conditions.
3. How did the Central Empowered Committee respond to the allegations?
The Central Empowered Committee held Rawat and Chand responsible for the illegal constructions and activities in the forest areas mentioned. It also recommended legal action against the forest officials involved.
4. What are the potential consequences of the illegal activities in the Corbett Tiger Reserve?
The illegal activities, including deforestation and construction, could have severe consequences for the environment and wildlife, leading to habitat destruction and a decline in species population, particularly endangering the tiger population.
5. What steps are being taken to address the situation?
The Supreme Court’s intervention, along with the ongoing investigation by the CBI, aims to hold those responsible for the illegal activities accountable. Additionally, measures are being implemented to regulate future developments, such as the establishment of the tiger safari under specified conditions.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Allegations against individuals | Mass deforestation and illegal construction in Corbett Tiger Reserve |
| Supreme Court’s action | Heavy criticism; instructed CBI investigation |
| Central Empowered Committee’s findings | Holding Rawat and Chand responsible; recommending legal action |
| Potential consequences | Environmental damage, habitat destruction, decline in tiger population |
| Current steps being taken | Ongoing CBI investigation, Supreme Court’s approval for tiger safari under conditions |
This table provides a summary of the key aspects related to the allegations, actions taken, findings, potential consequences, and current steps being taken in response to the illegal activities in the Corbett Tiger Reserve.