PNS | DEHRADUN
The Uttarakhand State Commission for Women (USCW) took suo motu cognisance of reports alleging a violation of women’s privacy due to the use of camera traps in Corbett Tiger Reserve. The issue surfaced following claims of some news reports, highlighting concerns over the misuse of camera trap footage intended for wildlife monitoring.
The USCW chairperson Kusum Kandwal said that she has sent a letter to the principal chief xonservator of forests, directing an investigation into the matter. She said that the controversy stems from a report by a Cambridge University researcher, who alleged that camera traps and CCTV cameras installed to monitor wildlife have intruded upon the privacy of local women living near the reserve. The researcher claimed to have conducted a 14-month survey, interviewing 270 individuals, including women, who expressed discomfort and distress over being constantly monitored.
Kandwal said that one particularly alarming instance cited in the report involves a local woman who alleged that a Forest department employee recorded her video in 2017 using a camera trap and subsequently circulated it on social media and WhatsApp. Stating these allegations to be serious, Kandwal had a telephonic discussion with Corbett director Saket Badola on Tuesday. She said that protecting the privacy and rights of local women residing near forest areas is of utmost importance. These women rely on small businesses and livelihoods linked to the forest, making their safety and dignity crucial. She has directed the department to take stringent action against the employee responsible for circulating objectionable content.
She has also demanded a detailed investigation report on the incident to ensure accountability and prevent further breaches of privacy. Kandwal urged the department to be more vigilant about the concerns of local communities, particularly women, while implementing surveillance measures in protected areas. “The privacy and dignity of women must be safeguarded and those found guilty of violating it should face strict punishment,” she stated.
