Wildlife and rights activist from the city Ajay Dubey in a letter to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Member Secretary Bishan Singh Bonal urged him to take appropriate action against the alleged illegal constructions and tiger safaris in Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) of the State. “If you fail to take the desired action in next seven days than I will be compelled to move to the court for the implementation of law,” Dubey told Bonal.
Dubey further said in his letter, “I wrote to you earlier on September 13 requesting to take action against illegal establishment of tiger safaris in PTR and BTR but I did not see any lawful action taken by your office rill now. I have also written a letter to Prime Minister, Minister of State for Environment and Forest and copy of that was also sent to you on September 30 because construction activities are still going on in these tiger reserves by Madhya Pradesh Eco Tourism Board (MPETB).”
He said I have also come to know that you have written a letter regarding the regulations and apprised of the Supreme Court order November 27, 2000 to additional secretary department of forest, Government of Madhya Pradesh on September 23, 2015. Your letter made it clear that the buffer areas of the tiger reserve comes under the definition of Zoo therefore it is mandatory to follow the statutory provision of the Wild life (Protection) Act, 1972. Despite your letter and my complaint the MPETB is continuing its activity of construction of the same violating the Act, 1972 and order of the SC. Such unlawful constructions are disturbing and obstructing the natural corridors meant movement of tiger. Hence it should immediately be stopped, he added.