HC directs NTCA to take over Corbett as an interim measure

Expressing dissatisfaction at the State’s level of wildlife protection, the high court of Uttarakhand has ordered that  the Corbett national park be taken over by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) as an interim measure. The court has also asked the NTCA to submit a report regarding protection of tigers here in three months. Considering tiger deaths in Corbett, the court also asked the NTCA whether it is viable to shift the big cats to secure locations in other national parks. The division bench of acting chief justice Rajiv Sharma and justice Lok Pal Singh issued these directions while hearing on the PIL of Ramnagar-based Himalayan Yuva Gramin Samiti.

The court also ordered the forest department to release the eight elephants recently rescued from captivity in resorts around Corbett, in Kalagarh or Dhikala and to monitor them.The court also expressed dissatisfaction at the additional chief secretary not appearing in court and directed that he should appear in the court on the next hearing on August 30. He has also been directed to submit a report regarding the action taken in pursuance of the court orders. An explanation has also been sought from the Nainital Senior Superintendent of Police for not arresting those who had held elephants in captivity though the Ramnagar DFO had lodged a case against them.

The court was informed that the accused had gone abroad. The division bench observed that the state government had submitted its reply twice in the court but not provided satisfactory answers.It will be recalled that while the Himalayan Yuva Gramin Samiti had filed a PIL seeking removal of encroachments from the Corbett area, current Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni had submitted an application in the HC seeking action to prevent tiger deaths in Corbett with more than nine such fatalaties having taking place this year.