HC stops elephant rides by hotels in Corbett, Rajaji

The high court of Uttarakhand has ordered a stop to the elephant rides conducted by hotels in Corbett and Rajaji national parks. Citing the Wildlife Protection Act to put an end to these rides, the high court also directed that cases be registered against the hotel owners concerned. The court also directed the chief wildlife warden to facilitate treatment of elephants being used by the hotels within 12 hours in cases wherein the elephants have suffered physically. Further, the high court has also ordered a stop on the entry of private vehicles in the Sitabani, Dhela and Bijrani zones of Corbett, stressing that only vehicles with permits issued by the divisional forest officer will be allowed entry in these zones. The high court division bench of justices Rajiv Sharma and Lok Pal Singh issued these orders in a public interest litigation filed by the Himalayan Yuva Grameen Samiti.

It will be recalled here that while hearing on the petition on Thursday, the high court had directed the State’s chief secretary submit an affidavit on measures taken for protection of tigers in the State. Due to some reasons, the chief secretary was unable to do so on Friday. The high court has given him time till Monday to submit the affidavit.