Special Correspondent
NewsBits.in
Bhopal: The chief secretary of Madhya Pradesh has been asked to come clear on the intention of the state government on converting the Ratapani Sanctuary near Bhopal into a Tiger Reserve.
During a hearing on Monday, the central zonal bench of the National Green Tribunal directed the chief secretary to submit an affidavit with the tribunal, clarifying the government’s stand on the issue.
The principal secretaries of forest and urban administration and development and the prinicipal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) have been asked to personally appear before the tribunal on the next hearing date of May 16. The directions were issued by Justice Dalip Singh of the bench.
The green panel is hearing a case of long pending converting the Ratapani Sanctuary into a Tiger Reserve. The National Tiger Conservation Authority had given in-principle nod to the MP forest department in this matter in 2008, but the proposal has been hanging fire.
Activist Ajay Dubey, who is intervener in the case, said that they have been long demanding that a conservation reserve unit should be created in Kaliasot-Kerwa area (within and in vicinity of Ratapni sanctuary). This area has been witnessing increasing tiger movements during recent times.
However, Dubey said, the government has reportedly written to NTCA recently, expressing unwillingness to create the Tiger Reserve in Ratapani. “This is being done under pressure from forest mafia,” Dubey alleged while talking to NewsBits.in.
Meanwhile NTCA has reportedly rejected the latest proposal of state government and asked it to reconsider its stand.
