Ranchi — The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday pulled up the state government and the Forest Department for their alleged laxity in protecting tigers at the Palamu Tiger Reserve and summoned the state’s top forest official.
During the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation, a division bench comprising Chief Justice M. S. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar expressed displeasure that the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) had not personally filed an affidavit despite earlier directions. Instead, a reply was submitted by junior officials.
The bench remarked that the conduct suggested the senior official was not taking the court’s orders seriously. It directed the PCCF and concerned forest officers to appear in person at the next hearing.
The court had earlier sought a detailed compliance report on pending directives related to the protection and rehabilitation of wildlife, particularly tigers and elephants. However, it noted that the department had not provided concrete information on important recommendations made by the amicus curiae.
The High Court made it clear that affidavits submitted by junior officials would no longer be accepted and that the PCCF must personally respond to the issues raised.
The bench also referred to previous hearings in which it had questioned both Central and state authorities over administrative lapses and stalled conservation efforts at the reserve. It directed the Forest Department to submit a comprehensive affidavit detailing steps taken for wildlife protection and the current status of the reserve.
Taking a stricter stance due to the lack of progress, the court signalled closer monitoring of conservation measures at the Palamu Tiger Reserve.
With inputs from IANS