The Rajasthan High Court recently disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed for the proper protection and maintenance of wildlife in and around Kumbhalgarh and Todgarh wildlife sanctuaries.
The PIL filed by Rituraj Singh Rathore alleged that for want of sufficient staff and equipment, the forest department has found it extremely difficult to control the situations of man-animal conflicts as well as to take prompt action for rescue of wild animals in distress.
The respondents have filed a detailed reply-affidavit dated 31.01.2021 along with which details of the available staff and equipments have been given. It is pointed out that in furtherance of the reply filed by the petitioner, there is no denial of this data.
The petitioner however has produced on record a copy of the Rajasthan State Forest Policy, 2010 and tried to contend that the steps, as envisaged in the said policy documents, are not taken.
It is pointed out by the State Government in the affidavit that sufficient staff and equipments are posted at the place and which documents were not seriously disputed.
After hearing the arguments, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Akil Kureshi and Justice Madan Gopal Vyas was not inclined to give any further directions.
The Bench clarified that if there are any further deficiencies or short-comings, it is always open for the petitioner to point out the same to the authorities, who would ensure to look into the same and take such measures as found necessary.