Bombay High Court takes cognizance of tourists obstructing tigress and cubs at wildlife sanctuary

The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court recently took suo moto cognisance of an incident where tourists were reportedly seen obstructing the movement of a tigress (F2) and her five cubs at the Umred Pauni Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary near Gothangaon Gate..A Bench comprising Justices Nitin W Sambre and Vrushali V Joshi also took objection to the conduct of the guides and the approved Forest Department drivers of the Gypsy vehicles in which the tourists were driven around the wildlife sanctuary. "We have noticed that the very conduct of the Gypsy Drivers, Guides and the Tourists was completely unruly and in defiance of not only the rules of nature but also the same has resulted in creating a very disturbing situation for the F2-Tigress and her cubs," the Court stated in its order on January 6. .According to reports, the incident occurred when Gypsy vehicles blocked the path of the tigress and her cubs on December 31, 2024. The incident was later reported in a Marathi daily and a video clip of the disturbing scene was circulated on social media. The video depicted tourists and their guides disregarding wildlife safety protocols and creating a distressing situation for the tigress and her young ones. In response to the incident, the Field Director of the Tiger Reserve initially took a lenient approach, issuing a seven-day suspension to the drivers and guides involved. However, following the publication of the news report, the Field Director revised the order, extending the suspensions to three months and imposing a fine of ₹25,000.The Court observed that the incident revealed a failure of the Forest Department’s response system."There is a complete failure of intelligence on the part of the Forest Department as instead of their own staff reporting the matter, it appears that they have got the inputs from the video clip which was circulated on social media and the news article which was published in the newspaper ‘Loksatta’ and thereafter the order of punishment on the Gypsy Drivers and Guides was modified," the Bench said. It also pointed out the necessity of ensuring compliance with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and highlighted provisions of the Act that deal with restrictions on entry to sanctuaries and prohibitions against disturbing wildlife."We need to make the Forest Officials sensitive to the above provisions of law also," the Court opined..Therefore, it proceeded to direct the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) to file a detailed affidavit outlining the actions taken so far and the steps planned to protect the tigress and her cubs. The Court also suggested that the Forest Department consider imposing additional movement restrictions in areas where the tigress and her cubs are located..On January 10, the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) filed an affidavit detailing the actions taken in response to the incident, including the disciplinary measures against the drivers and guides involved. Further, the affidavit mentioned that a committee chaired by the Deputy Director of the Bor Tiger Projecta at Wardha had been formed to develop guidelines for the behavior of Gypsy owners, drivers, guides and tourists. The committee is expected to submit its report by January 14..The Court recognized that more needs to be done by the Forest Department. The Government Pleader informed the Court that an additional affidavit would be filed by January 18 detailing the progress in addressing the issue. The Court then directed that all relevant documents be shared with the Amicus curiae Sudheer Voditel.The matter will be heard again on January 20..Senior Advocate and Government Pleader DV Chavan and Assistant Government Pleader NS Rao appeared for the State..[Read Orders]