Jharkhand High Court raps govt, summons top forest official over tiger conservation at Palamu Tiger Reserve

Ranchi — The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday expressed strong displeasure with the state government and the Forest Department over what it termed a lax approach to tiger conservation at the Palamu Tiger Reserve.

Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, a division bench comprising M. S. Sonak and Rajesh Shankar criticised officials for failing to comply with earlier directions. The court noted that despite clear instructions, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) did not personally file an affidavit, and instead junior officials submitted a response on his behalf.

Making sharp remarks, the bench observed that the PCCF appeared not to be taking the court’s orders seriously. It directed the PCCF and concerned forest officials to appear in person at the next hearing.

The court had earlier sought a detailed compliance report on pending directives related to wildlife protection and rehabilitation, particularly of tigers and elephants in the state. During Thursday’s proceedings, the bench also expressed concern that the department had failed to provide concrete details on key suggestions made by the amicus curiae.

Clarifying its stance, the court said affidavits from junior officials would not be accepted and insisted that the PCCF personally respond to all issues raised earlier.

The High Court has repeatedly questioned both Central and state authorities over administrative shortcomings and stalled conservation initiatives at the Palamu Tiger Reserve. In the latest order, it directed the Forest Department to submit a comprehensive affidavit outlining measures for wildlife conservation and the current status of the reserve.

Having previously flagged lapses in animal protection, the court has now adopted a stricter approach due to the lack of progress, signalling tougher scrutiny of the state’s conservation efforts.

With inputs from IANS