CEC member reviews SC order compliance at PTR

Pilibhit: A member of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on Thursday reviewed compliance with Supreme Court orders concerning tiger reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks during a visit to Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR). The CEC was constituted by the Supreme Court on May 9, 2002, to monitor the implementation of its orders.The review covered the ban imposed by the apex court in Nov last year on traffic between dusk and dawn on roads passing through core forest areas and critical tiger habitats. It also examined the status of newly constructed resorts in the eco-sensitive zone of PTR and the validity of chain-link fencing at the interface of the reserve and adjoining agricultural fields.CEC member Sunil Limay, former principal chief conservator of forests of Maharashtra, reached Pilibhit on Thursday and held discussions with district magistrate Gyanendra Singh and PTR authorities, including field director PP Singh and divisional forest officer Manish Singh.The issue of chain-link fencing at the periphery of Pilibhit and Dudhwa tiger reserves was raised before the CEC by Supreme Court lawyer Gaurav Bansal on July 3 last year. In his petition, Bansal alleged that the fencing project in the two reserves was undertaken without clearance from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and without an environmental impact assessment or wildlife corridor study.It was also pointed out that the fencing work was carried out without ecological appraisal, wildlife carrying capacity studies or provisions for wildlife crossings and underpasses, which could restrict the natural movement of animals.Limay told TOI that he reviewed the ground situation regarding the chain-link fencing, wildlife corridors and concerns raised by local communities."Before submitting my report to the CEC, I will discuss the positive and negative aspects of chain-link fencing with experts from the Wildlife Institute of India," he said.On public protests over the order banning night traffic on forest roads, Limay said suggestions would be taken from the district administration and forest authorities to recommend possible relaxations to the apex court.He added that installing speed radar sensors on roads passing through core forest stretches could help enforce the 30 kmph speed limit and penalise violators.Limay also said no brick construction with a lintel is allowed within 1 km of the periphery of the tiger reserve. "We have sought a detailed report from the district magistrate on resorts and hotels constructed within the restricted area for submission to the Supreme Court," he said.Officials said more than 50 resorts, hotels and other tourist facilities have been built within the restricted zone around Pilibhit Tiger Reserve without permission from forest authorities, despite departmental notices directing developers to stop construction.