Criticizing the Uttarakhand government for tree felling and unauthorized construction in Jim Corbett National Park, the Supreme Court conveyed its dismay, stating that public trust had been disregarded. The Court rebuked former state minister Harak Singh Rawat and former divisional forest officer Kishan Chand, urging the Centre to establish a committee to propose measures for damage mitigation and cost recovery from those accountable.
Justice BR Gavai, Justice PK Mishra, and Justice Sandeep Mehta presided over the case, initiated by environmental activist and lawyer Gaurav Bansal, who contested the Uttarakhand government’s plan for a tiger safari and zoo within the national park. The issue highlighted unlawful construction and deforestation in the park.
Quoting the Mahabharata, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between a forest and a tiger, the court opposed a tiger safari in the core area, deeming it inconsistent with tiger conservation provisions. Nevertheless, it permitted safari tours in the buffer zone, citing potential employment opportunities, with adherence to relevant guidelines.
The court condemned Rawat and Chand for disregarding the public trust doctrine, accusing them of mass tree felling for commercial gain under the guise of promoting tourism. Approximately 6,000 trees were felled in the heavily visited national park.
While acknowledging reduced tiger poaching statistics, the court underscored the undeniable ground realities. It appointed a three-member committee to propose effective tiger reserve management suggestions, with a three-month deadline for the report. Additionally, considering the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, the court asserted that the state must restore the forest’s status and recover damages from responsible parties. The CBI was directed to submit a status report within three months.