Non-compliance with NGT order delays action against 50+ ‘illegal’ resorts in PTR eco-sensitive zone

Pilibhit: Delay in compliance with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order dated Jan 13 has stalled legal action against more than 50 allegedly illegal resorts, hotels and tourist facilities in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR). These establishments are said to have come up within one kilometre of the core forest boundary without permission from PTR authorities.A division bench of the NGT, comprising chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr A Senthil Vel, had directed the formation of a three-member committee. The panel was to include a representative of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a nominee of UP’s PCCF (Wildlife), and the Pilibhit district magistrate as coordinating officer, to examine the legality of these constructions and submit a report within 10 weeks.The matter was initially listed for hearing on April 9. However, the nomination letter from the PCCF (Wildlife) was issued only on April 6, finalising Apoorv Dixit, divisional forest officer of Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, as a panel member. Subsequently, the Pilibhit district magistrate and the UP govt sought six weeks’ time to submit the report. The tribunal has now scheduled the next hearing for July 27.The case stems from an application filed by advocate Shashank Singh before the NGT, highlighting a surge in illegal tourist infrastructure in the ESZ in violation of orders issued by the Supreme Court of India and the Union environment ministry.The issue first came to light in 2021 when then PTR DFO Naveen Khandelwal issued a notice to a Lucknow-based individual, directing him to stop construction near the critical tiger habitat in the Mahof forest range. However, alleged inaction under pressure from senior forest officials reportedly allowed similar illegal constructions to proliferate in the ESZ.In his plea, Singh said, “Unregulated constructions in the ESZ threaten wildlife and human safety by fragmenting tiger habitats, disrupting wildlife corridors and increasing human-wildlife conflict.”Criticising the delay, Singh added, “The administrative and forest authorities do not appear serious about ensuring compliance with regulatory orders of the apex court and the NGT, or about removing illegal constructions from the ESZ to enable peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife.”