Dehradun: The Uttarakhand high court (HC) has sought a response from the state govt by April 23 regarding the creation of a new “Chandni Safari” eco-tourism zone in the Bailpadav Range of Corbett National Park. The division bench of Chief Justice G Narendra and Justice Alok Kumar Mehra issued the direction while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the project.
The PIL filed by Mukesh Bisht, Devendra Singh Fartiyal and Naveen Upadhyay — residents of Gebua, Kyari and Gajpur Chhoi villages, respectively — alleged that around 35 km of forest area in the Bailpadav Range of the Terai western forest division is being developed into an eco-tourism zone without any consultation with local villagers. The petitioners argued that this violates provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and Union govt guidelines, which mandate prior consultation with affected communities before designating such zones.
The petition also noted that Corbett National Park already has 15 designated eco-tourism zones. Expanding human activity into additional areas, it argued, would disturb wildlife, escalate human-animal conflict and damage the environment by forcing animals towards human settlements.
The state govt, however, defended the move, stating that the proposed zone would promote development in the region and create new employment opportunities for local residents. The next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand high court (HC) has sought a response from the state govt by April 23 regarding the creation of a new “Chandni Safari” eco-tourism zone in the Bailpadav Range of Corbett National Park. The division bench of Chief Justice G Narendra and Justice Alok Kumar Mehra issued the direction while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the project.
The PIL filed by Mukesh Bisht, Devendra Singh Fartiyal and Naveen Upadhyay — residents of Gebua, Kyari and Gajpur Chhoi villages, respectively — alleged that around 35 km of forest area in the Bailpadav Range of the Terai western forest division is being developed into an eco-tourism zone without any consultation with local villagers. The petitioners argued that this violates provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and Union govt guidelines, which mandate prior consultation with affected communities before designating such zones.
The petition also noted that Corbett National Park already has 15 designated eco-tourism zones. Expanding human activity into additional areas, it argued, would disturb wildlife, escalate human-animal conflict and damage the environment by forcing animals towards human settlements.
The state govt, however, defended the move, stating that the proposed zone would promote development in the region and create new employment opportunities for local residents. The next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
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