Illegal construction: Corbett director issued a show cause notice | Dehradun News
Dehradun: Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) director Rahul (who uses his first name only) received a case notice from Forestry Force Chief (HoFF) Vinod Singhal, asking the director to explain in a week how illegal constructions took place in protected areas under his supervision and what measures had been taken to prevent this from happening again.
The move came a day after the state’s former chief wildlife custodian, JS Suhag, received a notice of justification from Additional Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan for failing to use his authority to end the illegalities.
“The CTR has a specific line of command. Not all of the activities that take place here should escape the attention of officials. We sent a letter to the manager asking for an explanation of how the illegal construction was going on here without his knowledge, ”Singhal said.
Illegal construction in some of Corbett’s most critical areas was first highlighted in a TOI report last year. Taking cognizance of the report, Uttarakhand HC ordered the forestry department to form a three-member committee to inspect the site and submit a report “regarding the nature and extent of the illegal construction in progress as well as the details. of the persons responsible for carrying it out ”. He also ordered the ministry to specify the measures taken against the defaulters.
TOI had highlighted through its report a visit by a team from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in September which confirmed the presence of illegal structures in Corbett. The NTCA team called the encroachments a “prime example of administrative and management failure” and recommended a vigilance investigation and action against wandering forest officials.
The move came a day after the state’s former chief wildlife custodian, JS Suhag, received a notice of justification from Additional Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan for failing to use his authority to end the illegalities.
“The CTR has a specific line of command. Not all of the activities that take place here should escape the attention of officials. We sent a letter to the manager asking for an explanation of how the illegal construction was going on here without his knowledge, ”Singhal said.
Illegal construction in some of Corbett’s most critical areas was first highlighted in a TOI report last year. Taking cognizance of the report, Uttarakhand HC ordered the forestry department to form a three-member committee to inspect the site and submit a report “regarding the nature and extent of the illegal construction in progress as well as the details. of the persons responsible for carrying it out ”. He also ordered the ministry to specify the measures taken against the defaulters.
TOI had highlighted through its report a visit by a team from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in September which confirmed the presence of illegal structures in Corbett. The NTCA team called the encroachments a “prime example of administrative and management failure” and recommended a vigilance investigation and action against wandering forest officials.
