Following the Holi Milan programme organised in the core area of the Rajaji national park on Sunday, activists are demanding strong action against those who violated the Wildlife Protection Act.
Rural litigation and Entitlement Kendra chairman Avadhash Kaushal has demanded that the chief wildlife warden file an FIR against the guilty, failing which he has requested the Supreme Court of India and High Court of Uttarakhand to take suo moto cognisance of the violation.
It will be recalled that on Sunday about 200 forest department officers and their families attended a Holi Milan programme in the core area of Rajaji national park. Though the Rajaji director SP Subudhi had first sent an SMS to invitees regarding a get together to celebrate Holi, he later sent an SMS to some mediapersons claiming that the meet was focused on discussing wildlife issues.
RlEK chairman Kaushal said that the blatant violation of the Wildlife Protection Act by the forest department on Sunday is not the first such instance. “This is nothing but colonial mindset of the forest bureaucracy which is also known for high-level corruption and corrupting the Ministers and Chief Minister of the State.
RlEK has asked chief wildlife warden SS Sharma to file an FIR against officials involved in this violation. In case they fail, we request the Supreme Court of India and High Court of Uttarakhand, who have always shown their concern towards the protection of wildlife, to take suo moto cognisance of this event; otherwise, we are open to go to court against the chief wildlife warden, Rajaji director and also the Chief Minister, for tolerating and patronising this kind of action,” stressed Kaushal.
He added that it is ironical that on one hand, the Van Gujjars, who have been living the forests for centuries, are prohibited to take ambulances to ferry their ill people in the forest, cycles and motorcycles to carry milk and other essential items under the garb of wildlife protection and, on the other hand, such parties are being held by the department.
Former vice-chairman of State Forest and Environment Advisory Committee, Anil Baluni said that if such a party was held, then it is very unfortunate and surprising that those meant to protect and enforce the law themselves broke the law.
“There is no one to keep an eye on such activities in the State with the bureaucracy having a free run and the State Government lacking any control mechanism to prevent violations,” he said.