JAIPUR: Forest authorities at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) took action on Sunday against the accused who extended their stay for a party within the protected forest area beyond authorised hours on Friday night.
The after-hours gathering in the reserve's core zone was organised by Himanshu Sharma, the priest of the Trinetra Ganesh Temple at Ranthambore Fort, to celebrate his grandson's birthday.
Forest officials said they confiscated 12 vehicles and levied a penalty of Rs 25,000 on each vehicle owner. Additionally, they filed an FIR against 10 people under sections 27 and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, for unlawful presence in a protected area and breach of sanctuary rules.
"We seized twelve vehicles and imposed a Rs 25,000 fine on each of them. Despite clear instructions and time limits, these individuals chose to remain inside the core forest area after hours for a private birthday party," an official said.
Sharma, the temple priest, invited guests to the fort area after 4pm. Although visitors are allowed entry till 5pm with a 7pm exit deadline, several vehicles remained at the fort past 8pm. Forest staff claimed they discovered arrangements for a "bhajan-kirtan event" celebrating the priest's grandson's birthday.
Section 27 of the Wildlife Protection Act restricts unauthorised entry and stay in sanctuary areas, while Section 51 specifies punishments, including imprisonment and fines, for violations under the Act.
"It is just a face-saving exercise by the forest department after Rajasthan cabinet minister Kirori Lal Meena caught them red-handed. There is constant movement of tigers in the fort, and this disturbs the wildlife. Strict action should also be taken against the negligent officials," Tapeshwar Singh, an environmental rights lawyer said.
Agriculture minister Kirori Lal Meena busted the late-night gathering Friday evening after receiving complaints about the unauthorised entry of private persons inside the reserve forest. Meena claimed rules were being violated with forest officials' involvement and contacted Union environment, forest and climate change minister Bhupendra Yadav, seeking an NTCA investigation into the breaches.
The after-hours gathering in the reserve's core zone was organised by Himanshu Sharma, the priest of the Trinetra Ganesh Temple at Ranthambore Fort, to celebrate his grandson's birthday.
Forest officials said they confiscated 12 vehicles and levied a penalty of Rs 25,000 on each vehicle owner. Additionally, they filed an FIR against 10 people under sections 27 and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, for unlawful presence in a protected area and breach of sanctuary rules.
"We seized twelve vehicles and imposed a Rs 25,000 fine on each of them. Despite clear instructions and time limits, these individuals chose to remain inside the core forest area after hours for a private birthday party," an official said.
Sharma, the temple priest, invited guests to the fort area after 4pm. Although visitors are allowed entry till 5pm with a 7pm exit deadline, several vehicles remained at the fort past 8pm. Forest staff claimed they discovered arrangements for a "bhajan-kirtan event" celebrating the priest's grandson's birthday.
Section 27 of the Wildlife Protection Act restricts unauthorised entry and stay in sanctuary areas, while Section 51 specifies punishments, including imprisonment and fines, for violations under the Act.
"It is just a face-saving exercise by the forest department after Rajasthan cabinet minister Kirori Lal Meena caught them red-handed. There is constant movement of tigers in the fort, and this disturbs the wildlife. Strict action should also be taken against the negligent officials," Tapeshwar Singh, an environmental rights lawyer said.
Agriculture minister Kirori Lal Meena busted the late-night gathering Friday evening after receiving complaints about the unauthorised entry of private persons inside the reserve forest. Meena claimed rules were being violated with forest officials' involvement and contacted Union environment, forest and climate change minister Bhupendra Yadav, seeking an NTCA investigation into the breaches.
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