The High Court of Uttarakhand has directed that on the lines of Kaziranga National Park, a rescue centre for injured tigers should be established in Corbett National Park.
Hearing on a public interest litigation filed by Himalayan Yuva Gramin Sansthan, the division bench of acting chief justice Rajiv Sharma and justice Lokpal Singh also pulled up the departmental officers for laxity in implementation of orders issued by the court earlier and their inability to provide accurate information about the area of the Corbett tiger reserve.
Earlier on Tuesday, the senior Forest department officers including the Corbett director and principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) had stated that the viscera of the tigers found dead are sent for laboratory examination on the same day.
However, the division bench found in the report that the viscera were not sent on the same day in the cases in question. This made it appear as if the officials were trying to misguide the court. The officers concerned apologised to the division bench on Wednesday.
The additional chief secretary Ranvir Singh, chief wildlife warden, Corbett director, Ramnagar divisional forest officer and other departmental officers were present in the court on Wednesday.
However, as these officials did not have complete information about the area of Corbett tiger reserve, the division bench made strong observations regarding the officials. Different officers are appearing in the court on the hearing date in place of officers who are asked to be present personally in the court. The officers do not seem to be aware of the relevant facts, the division bench observed. The case is set for hearing next on September 13.