Nagpur: Road blockage by tigers, court takes serious cognizance…

Maharashtra: On December 31, a tourist vehicle blocked the path of a tigress and her cubs from both sides in Umred-Pavani-Karhandla Sanctuary. Since such incidents are happening frequently in the name of tourism, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court took the matter seriously. The High Court on Monday took suo motu cognizance in this regard and ordered the filing of a PIL and directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of the state to file a reply within two days.

On December 31, ‘F2’ tigress and her five cubs were surrounded by tourist vehicles for a long time. The tigress and her cubs were stopped. The incident took place on Gothangaon Safari Road in Kuhi forest area of ​​​​Umred-Pavani-Karhandla Sanctuary. Based on the news published in the newspapers, Administrative Judge Nitin Sambre of the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court took suo motu cognizance and ordered the filing of a PIL. Along with this, the court has asked the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of the state to clarify his position on this by Wednesday. The court will hear the case on Wednesday after the reply of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests is recorded. For the last few months, cases of blocking the path of tigers are being seen continuously in the Tiger Reserve and Sanctuary. Despite clear rules regarding forest tourism, gypsy drivers and guides are violating the rules. Due to the increasing attraction towards tiger tourism, the rules are also being violated by tourists. In this background, the High Court decided to take cognizance of the matter. The court will appoint an amicus curiae in this regard on Wednesday and the next hearing will be held.
The suspension period of four tourist drivers and guides who blocked the path of F-2 tigress and her five cubs in the sanctuary has been extended. The amount of fine has also been increased. An order has been issued to register a preliminary case against those involved. The suspension of the four tourist drivers and guides has now been increased from seven days to three months. A fine of Rs 25,000 has been imposed on tourist vehicles. While a fine of Rs 1000 has been imposed on tourist guides. An order has been issued to register a preliminary case against the tourists involved in this incident.