Pilibhit Traffic Ban Meeting Fails to Resolve Forest Road Dispute
A meeting convened by Pilibhit District Magistrate Gyanendra Singh on Monday aimed at addressing traffic restrictions through forest areas, as mandated by a Supreme Court order, did not provide any immediate relief to affected residents. The gathering, which included representatives from farmers' organizations and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), ended without a resolution, leaving the community frustrated over the ongoing ban on motorized and other vehicles in core tiger habitats.
Supreme Court Order and Local Compliance Issues
The controversy stems from a November 17 directive issued by a Supreme Court division bench led by former Chief Justice B R Gavai, which called for strict regulation of traffic on roads passing through core or critical tiger habitats nationwide during dusk-to-dawn hours. In response, the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) authorities enforced a ban on March 2, covering key forest stretches, including a 7-km segment on the Pilibhit–Basti NH-730, a 15-km stretch on the Madhotanda–Uttarakhand state highway, and a 9-km area on the Pilibhit–Madhotanda major district road.
Despite these measures, local villagers and residents have largely ignored the order, leading to widespread non-compliance. During the meeting, farmer leaders and AAP members submitted a memorandum demanding that the status quo be maintained, highlighting the practical difficulties faced by the community.
Temporary Measures and Legal Implications
District Magistrate Gyanendra Singh announced that traffic on jungle roads, with the exception of heavy trucks, would continue under restrictions until March 12. On that date, Sunil Limaye, former principal chief conservator of forests of Maharashtra, is scheduled to visit Pilibhit to review compliance with the Supreme Court order.
"We will prohibit heavy trucks through the core forest between dusk and dawn but allow other vehicles for the time being, with a strict maximum speed limit of 30 kmph," Singh stated. He elaborated that barriers would be installed at intervals of 2–3 km along forest stretches, and a speed monitoring team, including police personnel, would be deployed. Additionally, the administration plans to equip roads in critical tiger habitats with radar speed sensors to automatically alert officials about violations.
Meanwhile, Desh Deepak Mishra, the district government counsel (revenue), emphasized that the Supreme Court order could only be modified by the same bench or a higher bench. He warned that any defiance by officials or the public could result in contempt of court proceedings, underscoring the legal gravity of the situation.
Forest Department and Public Opposition
Manish Singh, the divisional forest officer of PTR, affirmed that the forest department is obligated to comply with the apex court's directive. "However, in view of protests against the ban from several sections of society in the district, the matter has been referred to the state administration for a decision," he explained, indicating the ongoing tension between enforcement and public sentiment.
Farmers and their leaders have been vocal in opposing the restrictions, arguing that traffic movement through the core forest stretches should continue as before to avoid disruptions to daily life and local economies. The Aam Aadmi Party's district president, Amit Mishra, has taken steps to escalate the issue by writing to the party's Rajya Sabha member, Sanjay Singh, urging him to facilitate an appeal before the Supreme Court against the division bench order.
As the situation remains unresolved, the upcoming review on March 12 is anticipated to be a critical juncture in determining the future of traffic regulations in Pilibhit's forest areas, balancing conservation efforts with community needs.
