Wildlife activist from the city, Ajay Dubey in a letter to the Chief Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh and to the Secretary of the Department of Tourism, MP Government, and to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), New Delhi, reported serious irregularities in the Ratapani sanctuary violating the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Dubey, in his letter, warned the authorities that if they failed to take action in this regard in seven days then he would knock at the doors of the MP High Court.
Dubey also a Right To Information (RTI) activist said that an Air Conditioned Jungle Camp in 8 tents is run by Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Dev Corporation (MPSTDC) illegally since September 2008. The former Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) HS Pabla gave permission to MPSTDC on July 28, 2008 wide order number 3902/ 2008 without taking approval of the National Board of Wild life for such commercial activity putting at risk the conservation of protected areas and wildlife. Hence, prosecute Pabla and former CF AK Bhattacharya, he added.
Dubey further said that the above mentioned jungle camp was given to MPSTDC for three years since September 2008. But it is still continuing without any legal sanction. The District Forest Officer (DFO) of Obedullaganj, the Conservator of Forest (CF) Bhopal and MPSTDC should be prosecuted for violations of the prevailing rules and regulations. Therefore, it is urged that appropriate action should be taken immediately, he added. We request you to take action on above mentioned issues without any delay. If you fail to take action within a week then, I would be compelled to knock MP High Court door for justice, he added.