Jaipur: National Green Tribunal ( NGT ) has taken suo motu cognisance of a breach at Ranthambore National Park , following a report revealing illegal entry of luxury vehicles into the tiger reserve on Aug 15, and issued notices to authorities concerned seeking explanation on the same. The report highlighted the unauthorised entry of a dozen luxury vehicles, including SUVs , driven by influential individuals into Zone 8, a critical tiger habitat within the park. “The viral video linked to the report shows the group not only entering the park but also exiting their vehicles and walking within the forest, an area known for high tiger activity.
The park is closed to the public during the monsoon season and only authorised gypsies or canters are permitted to enter with prior forest department approval,” NGT stated in an order. The report raised concerns about the involvement or negligence of forest officials, as the park is equipped with an extensive surveillance and anti-poaching system designed to monitor all activities. An official said, “NGT has issued notices to govt and forest department officials, including the principal chief conservator of forests, chief wildlife warden of Rajasthan, ministry of environment and forests and district magistrate of Sawai Madhopur.
Respondents are required to file their replies before NGT’s central zonal bench in Bhopal with affidavits. The tribunal has scheduled the next hearing for Oct 16.” We also published the following articles.
