NGT Takes Suo Moto Cognizance Of Viral Video Of Luxury Cars Entering Ranthambore National Park

The principal bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken Suo Moto cognizance of alleged viral news video wherein dozens of influential individuals entered the Rajasthan's Ranthambore National Park not in the contracted gypsy or canter but in their "luxury vehicles."

Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. Afroz Ahmad noted that the article , "raises the question of how these individuals, riding in a dozen luxury cars reach zone number 8 of the National Park for a safari.Furthermore, Ranthambore National Park is closed for three months during the rainy season and only contracted vehicles can be sent to visit the park between zone numbers 6 to 10 with the permission of the forest department, but vehicles like the Scorpio, Thar seen in the video are not allowed to enter the forest at all."

The bench noted further that, according to the article these vehicles can't enter the Ranthambore forest without the connivance of the forest department officials, because Ranthambore has a surveillance system and anti-poaching system, through which the forest department keeps a close watch on the entire Ranthambore and keeps an eye on every movement happening in the forest.

"The news item raises substantial issues relating to compliance with environmental norms," observed NGT.

Consequently it impleaded Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, HoFF, Rajasthan Forest Department, Chief Wildlife Warden, Govt. of Rajasthan, Ministry of Environment and Forest, through its Regional Office, Madhopur's District Magistrate as respondents.

While issuing notice to the above added respondents the Tribunal directed to file their reply to the Central Zonal Bench having jurisdiction of the matter.

The case is listed on October 16, before the Central Zonal Bench at Bhopal.

Click here to read/download the order