Resort near PTR accused of flouting SC, NTCA norms

PILIBHIT: Management of a resort near the core area of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) has been accused of violating Supreme Court and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) norms by transporting construction material through protected forest land and opening drainage outlets directly into tiger habitat.Officials said the building is among more than 50 such structures allegedly coming up around the reserve and obstructing wildlife corridors.The land is located adjacent to the Mahof forest range. Officials alleged that construction material was moved with the collusion of some local forest personnel.Range officer Sahendra Singh Yadav registered an H2 departmental case under the Wildlife (Protection) Act against two persons—a labour contractor and a Class IV worker—without naming the premises owner.Menwhile, resort owner KK Mathur denied the allegations and rejected claims that the construction material dumped behind his boundary wall belonged to him.Forest officials said Mathur was served a notice in Nov 2021, by then-PTR divisional forest officer (DFO) Naveen Khandelwal, directing him to stop construction. They claimed the construction nevertheless continued, and material was later dumped inside the core forest. Mathur, however, refuted that he was ever served any notice.Under a Supreme Court order issued in June 2022, a 10-km eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) applies around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries where ESZ notifications are pending. Any activity within the ESZ requires prior permission from competent forest authorities.Now, DFO Manish Singh said an inquiry into the alleged violations has been ordered.