Video: 14 SUVs seized, their owners fined Rs. 1 lakh each for illegal entry into Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
Fourteen SUVs were seized and their owners fined for Rs. 1 lakh each, by the forest department for making an illegal entry into Ranthambore Tiger Reserve during an adventure rally on August 15. This fine was levied under Section 27/51 of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which strictly prohibits unauthorized access to protected wildlife areas.
What Exactly Happened
On August 15, a group of participants from an adventure rally, organized by individuals from other states, illegally entered the core area of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. The zone they trespassed into had been closed from August 13-19 due to heavy rains and recent fatalities at a nearby waterbody. The entry of these vehicles not only violated the Wildlife Protection Act but also was a risky act, given the presence of several well-known tigers, including T-2310, T-2402, T-8, and T-2403, who frequently roam the area.
Over 10 vehicles were seized after an adventure drive organized by the official Mahindra team in Tiger Zone 8 of Ranthambore.
— Rattan Dhillon (@ShivrattanDhil1) August 17, 2024
The forest department is now pursuing legal action against Mahindra Adventure officials.
It's alarming that such an event could occur under the watch… pic.twitter.com/f24Kki1vl3
Action by Forest Department
Out of the 14 vehicles seized by the forest department, 12 were released after the payment of the Rs 1 lakh fine per vehicle. However, two vehicles belonging to the organizers were confiscated and are in the custody of the authorities. Chief Wildlife Warden P.K. Upadhyay stated, “We released the vehicles that came from outside after imposing heavy penalties. The role of organizers is still under investigation, and their vehicles remain seized.”
Safety Concerns and Violations
Experts pointed out to the grave dangers posed by the illegal entry, reporting that participants were seen walking casually with a dog and allowing children to sit in the parked SUVs. This irresponsible behavior is considered highly risky in an area known for its tiger population, particularly with young tigers like T-2310 and T-2403 frequently sighted in the vicinity. Abhishek Chaudhary, a tiger tracker in Ranthambore, commented, “Tiger 2310 is not a shy tiger and often approaches safari vehicles head-on. Similarly, T-2402 is a dominant male, often killing buffalo and cattle in nearby villages. A conflict could have occurred if any of the tigers were around.”
Public Outcry and Controversy
The handling of the incident has sparked controversy, with public feeling that the trespassers were let off with punishment seen trivial in the backdrop of the violation. Green activist and lawyer Tapeshwar Singh alleged that the forest authorities acted improperly by releasing the vehicles. Singh argued that under the Wildlife Protection Act, the forest officials do not have the authority to compound cases within the core area of a tiger reserve, insisting that the trial should be conducted in court as per Section 51(1c) of the Act. However, DCF Ramanand Bhakar refuted these claims, asserting that the actions taken were fully in accordance with the law.
Actions on Errant Forest Staff
In the aftermath of the incident, two officials, forest ranger Vishnu Gupta and guard Saresh Kumar, were suspended late Friday night. An official said that the ranger and the guard allowed the unauthorized entry of the private vehicles into the reserve, despite the strict ban on tourism activities due to the ongoing weather conditions and recent incidents.
The illegal entry into the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve not only violated the sanctity of one of India’s premier tiger habitats but also highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws. As the investigation into the organizers’ role continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preserving these critical ecosystems.
