Despite the strict order from the court against constructing any building or utility in the Rajaji Tiger Reserve area, encroachment has been going on unabated. In the latest instance, a toilet has been constructed just at stone’s throw distance from the Brahmapuri Gate of the hill bypass area near Rajaji Tiger Reserve. The critical refrain is running that the forest officials are turning a deaf ear to any complaint made against such encroachments. An environmental activist Aditya Sharma said while talking to The Pioneer that despite his complaint made to the department and physical verification by the beat officer of Mansa Devi, the encroachment is still going on,” he said.
Sharma said, "In my letter dated 17 February 2019, I made a complaint to the principal chief conservator of forests regarding the construction of toilet adjacent to the three- storied restaurant in the area of Rajaji Tiger Reserve. First, a restaurant was built and now adjacent to it, a toilet came up. But no officer has been able to take any action against the builder. It shows clearly that they are continuing with their illegal activities in cahoots with the forest officials.”
He further alleged that the official letter issued by the department is just an eye wash. “No action has been taken against the builder. As per rules, a toilet should be built inside the premises of the hotel rather than on the road by digging part of the hills of Rajaji Tiger Reserve,” he said.
Quizzed over the matter, the Rajaji National Park director Sanatan Sonkar said that a probe was on into the matter.