Bengaluru: In a blatant violation of the Supreme Court ban on night traffic at Nagarhole Reserve, a senior IFS official reportedly entered the Reserve at midnight. At a time when hundreds of transport vehicles are lined up all night on both ends of Nagarhole Tiger Reserve after the Supreme Court slapped a ban on vehicle movement from Kerala and Karnataka during the night hours, Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr H P Prakash, (who presently heads the Land Army Corporation), entered the Nagarhole forests from Udbhur Check Post on the night of July 26.
The Range Forest Officer had intimated the staff at Checkpost that Mr Prakash would arrive in a government vehicle and should be allowed to enter the park. Mr Prakash drove in along with two more people in a private vehicle (KA – 03 MA 3031) which had a plate stating ‘Karnataka Forest Department’ and entered through the gate. Shockingly, none of the senior officials were aware of midnight movement inside the Nagarhole.
Following the incident, a week later, the Assistant Conservator of Forests, Nagarhole slapped a notice on the RFO and other staff on duty on the night of July 26. The forest staff are now worried they may be victimised to save the senior officer. The ACF has asked for an explanation about the vehicle movement inside the forest post-midnight.
The wildlife activists are questioning why no action was taken against Mr Prakash who violated the norms set by the Supreme Court. “The government officials from the police and forest force can enter the forests at night only if they are on duty. But the Land Army Corporation that Mr Prakash heads is not involved in any work inside the Nagarhole Reserve. It’s a clear violation of law, at least when neighbouring Kerala is putting so much pressure on the state government to allow some passenger buses through Nagarhole at night,” pointed out a conservationist.
It’s still not clear what work Mr Prakash had at that hour of night. Inquiries made at the guest houses showed that there were no bookings on Mr Prakash’s name. It’s also believed that Mr Prakash may have been heading to a resort or private guest house on the borders of Kerala and Karnataka.
“We have asked the staff on duty to give the details of illegal entry. The investigation is under way,” said an official from Nagarhole who didn’t want to divulge more details. Wildlife PCCF Vinay Luthra clarified that the matter is yet to come before him and the Director of Nagarhole will conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident.
