HC orders CBI probe into illegal constructions and tree felling in Corbett
Thursday, 07 September 2023 | PNS | NAINITAL
The Uttarakhand High Court has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct an investigation into allegations of illegal construction in the Corbett Tiger Reserve and alleged felling of about 6,000 trees in the protected area. The division bench of chief justice Vipin Sanghi and justice Alok Kumar Verma passed the order while hearing a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) petition initiated by the court and a plea filed by Dehradun resident Anu Pant. The HC also directd the other investigation agencies of the State to cooperate with the CBI in the investigation.
“We are satisfied that the material on record does disclose a prima facie case calling for an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Therefore, the present matter is referred to CBI for proper and uninfluenced investigation in accordance with law,” the court ordered.
It is pertinent to mention here that in the hearing held in the past, the petitioner had stated that a year ago the HC had ordered the chief secretary to take action against those guilty of illegal tree felling. It was also stated by the petitioner’s counsel that five probes have been held so far after the reported felling of 6,000 trees but no action has been taken yet against the guilty. It was stated in the petition that along with the tree felling, the illegal construction was also facilitated with the connivance of officials. The chief secretary had stated in his affidavit in the past that he would inform the court from time to time about the action being taken in the case but the HC has not been informed about any such fact about a year after it was stated in the affidavit. The Supreme Court had also stated in its order that not a single tree can be cut in the Corbett tiger reserve but at present according to the Forest Survey of India, at least 6,000 trees have been cut in this protected area. The petitioner further stated that according to the Joshi committee formed by the head of the Forest department, a number of officers had also been found responsible but no action had been taken against these officials, the petitioner contended.
