The inquiry into alleged anomalies in relocation of Khandgaon-3 village in Rajaji national park has taken a new turn with the principal chief conservator of forests seeking clarification on 14 points from the PCCF (Wildlife).
In the letter written to the PCCF (Wildlife), the State PCCF RBS Rawat states that on receipt of the final inquiry report it becomes pertinent to seek clarification on important points especially as one of the questions raised is whether the complaint was based on four documents allegedly stolen from the office of the Rajaji national park wildlife warden (Rehabilitation).
It should be noted here that Khandgaon-3 village falls on the Chilla-Motichur wildlife corridor and to relocate this settlement for clearing the corridor, a list of 32 families (as per records till 2002) was made for relocation to lalpani in 2003. Plot-wise maps were made with the approval of the Khandgaon Pradhan and Rajaji national park administration. However, after 2002 THDC allocated land to 11 more persons in Khandgaon-3 and in order to ensure the complete relocation of this village the then director of Rajaji sent a proposal to the government for additional land.
However, later allegations were made that the director had tried to allocate land to four persons who were not eligible for it. The chief conservator of forests (Wildlife) Administration conducted an inquiry into the allegations and according to his findings four officials including the then director and deputy director of Rajaji were guilty of anomalies. However, this report was not accepted as the statements of the accused were not taken in it. The final inquiry report has also raised several questions on which the PCCF has sought a clarification.