Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve: MP High Court Asks State To Explain How Private Resort's Safari Vehicles Are Operating Beyond Roster System

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has asked the State to clarify that which government policy or National Tiger Conservator Authority guideline has permitted a private resort inside the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve to operate its tourist/safari vehicles beyond the specified roster system laid down by NTCA. In absence of filing a specific reply on these aspects, this Court may consider grant of interim relief.” The Respondents in the present matter are–Principal Secretary of Department of Forest, Chief Wildlife Warden & Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Chairman of Local Advisory Committee at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, the reserve's Field Director, the reserve's Tourism Officer, Vindhya Vilas Wildlife Resort and National Tiger Conservator Authority. The National Tiger Conservation Authority which is the apex body under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister framed the guidelines into two parts, one was related to the wandering of the tigers and second was related to the tourism.” The Court asked, “Your grievance is that one resort has been granted permission to operate their vehicles?” The Counsel replied, “Outside the roster system. Even when a ropeway project comes up…” The Counsel said, “In this particular situation, the Coordinate Bench had already taken cognizance and very specifically directed that you should not do it.” Thereafter, the Counsel prayed, “If the Court is not passing an interim order then at least till the reply is not filed, they may not have further inclusion of vehicle because that will upset the entire system.” The Counsel then informed the Court that two other petitions on the same issues are pending and there is also a contempt petition pending against the non-compliance of the order.