The Jharkhand High Court rebuked the state government and Forest Department for their lackadaisical approach to tiger conservation at the Palamu Tiger Reserve. The court, during a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) hearing, expressed disappointment over the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) not personally filing a required affidavit, leading to junior officials submitting a response on his behalf. The bench criticized the PCCF for seemingly not taking the court’s orders seriously.
The court has summoned the PCCF and relevant forest officials to appear in person at the next hearing. It demanded a comprehensive compliance report on pending directives related to the protection and rehabilitation of tigers and elephants in the state. The bench also expressed concern over the Forest Department’s failure to provide concrete information on suggestions from the Amicus Curiae.
Emphasizing the importance of personal responses from the PCCF, the court stated that affidavits from junior officials would not suffice. The High Court has previously questioned the efficiency of officials from both Central and State governments regarding administrative issues and stalled conservation efforts at the Palamu Tiger Reserve. It directed the Forest Department to ensure a detailed affidavit from the PCCF addressing wildlife conservation and the current state of the PTR.
In light of continued shortcomings in animal protection, the court has taken a stricter stance due to the lack of progress by the Forest Department in addressing these concerns.
