The Rajasthan High Court has issued a stern directive for the immediate seizure and attachment of illegal properties and constructions within the critical tiger habitat of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, located in Sawai Madhopur district. This move is aimed at protecting the renowned wildlife sanctuary from ongoing encroachments that threaten its ecological balance.
Justice Sameer Jain, overseeing a criminal miscellaneous petition, emphasized the urgent need to halt construction activities and preserve the integrity of the tiger habitat. The court’s decision, announced on Tuesday, calls for a collaborative effort between forest officials, the police, and district administrators to enforce the ruling effectively.
Counsel for the petitioner, Ajay Pratap Singh, highlighted that the court has mandated complete cooperation from police authorities with forest officials, under the supervision of the Director General of Police (DGP). “Any lack of cooperation from the police must be immediately reported to the court,” Singh stated, addressing the media on Wednesday.
The high court expressed particular concern about several commercial constructions, including guest houses, currently underway within the critical zones of the tiger reserve. Such activities not only violate environmental laws but also pose significant risks to the local flora and fauna.
During the session, the court conducted a virtual conference with key officials, including the chief conservator of forests for Ranthambore, the Additional Superintendent of Police of Sawai Madhopur, and the ADM of Sawai Madhopur. They reported that despite efforts to curb these illegal activities, resistance from local communities and insufficient support from administrative bodies have hampered effective enforcement.
The high court’s order revealed that ongoing encroachments and constructions fall within areas explicitly designated as protected under the definition of ‘forest,’ making any such developments unlawful.
The situation in Ranthambore is particularly delicate given its status as one of northern India’s most prominent national parks, home to over 70 big cats and spanning a total area of 1700.22 sq. km. The region designated as the Critical Tiger Habitat itself covers 1113.364 sq. km, with an additional 297.92 sq. km marked as a Buffer area.
