45 construction works stuck in six protected areas of the state including Corbett and Rajaji Tiger Reserve will now be able to start. On the request of Uttarakhand, the Supreme Court has lifted the ban on these works with some conditions. Chief Conservator of Forests, Head of Forest Department, Anup Malik confirmed this. After the much talked about Pakharo Tiger Safari episode under Corbett Tiger Reserve, the Supreme Court had banned construction work in all the protected areas of the state. The court has now made it clear that only those works which have been prescribed by the Forest Department and which are necessary for forest and wildlife conservation, should be done.
Supreme Court’s CEC committee had taken cognizance
The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court had taken cognizance of the much talked about issue of illegal felling and illegal construction as well as ignoring of rules at every level for tiger safari in Pakharo of Kalagarh Tiger Reserve forest division under Corbett Tiger Reserve. The CEC had submitted the report to the Supreme Court after investigating various aspects related to the case.
Supreme Court had banned
While hearing this case, the Supreme Court had banned construction work in Tiger Reserve, Wildlife Sanctuary and National Parks in Uttarakhand. This order was issued on February 8 this year. Meanwhile, in continuation of this order, the Chief Wildlife Warden of the state requested the Supreme Court and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to provide information about the works which are already approved.
Ban on 45 works lifted
The Chief Wildlife Warden of the state also asked whether forests and wildlife are necessary for conservation, whether work can be done on them or not. He also gave a list of 45 essential works to be done in six protected areas including Rajaji and Corbett Tiger Reserves. Recently, in this case, the Supreme Court amended the old order and removed the ban on these 45 works. This has brought relief to the Forest Department.
The officer said this
The department has got a big relief from the Supreme Court for the necessary works to be done in view of forest and wildlife conservation in protected areas. RK Sudhanshu, Principal Secretary Forest Department
These tasks can be done
Rajaji Tiger Reserve:- Anti-elephant wall at Bulandawala and Amsot, expansion of Doda fire crew-station, range office and residence at Ravasan, range residence at Beriwada and Kansoro, residences at Tira, Kansoro and Raveli, anti-poaching camp at Bulandawala, various River conservation works at places.
Corbett Tiger Reserve:- Water supply in Dhikala, Kanda, Fika, Tunuchowki, Phulai, Dhela, Malani East, Sendhikhal, Salkhet, Gujarsot, Tuna Chowki Motasal, anti-elephant trench in Savalde North, solar fencing in Ringoda, Dhangadhi and Kalagarh, in Kalagarh. Elephant anti wall, solar pumps at Barwali, Ramjiwala and watch towers at Sildhari, Chorpani, Fato and Paterpani.
Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary:- Patrolling camp in Kanchulakhark and Bhulkana, water source conservation in Sunchand, check dam in Bamardhor, land conservation in Ghuasa.
Gangotri National Park:- Forest guard post in Bhojwasa and Nelang
Govind Wildlife Sanctuary:- Anti poaching camps at Judatal, Sankri and Rupin.
Nanda Devi National Park:- Land Conservation of Flowers in Rikhotanala
Valley National Park:- Water Conservation in Pinkhanda
