The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday sought responses from the Maharashtra government, forest authorities, and several resort operators over allegations of resort construction and commercial activities within the eco-sensitive zone surrounding the Tipeshwar wildlife sanctuary in Yavatmal.
Court Proceedings
A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode issued notices while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by social worker and Yavatmal District Tribal Forum vice president Ankit Naitam through counsel Tejal Agre. The petition alleges that many resorts and agro-tourism centres have been operating inside the protected eco-sensitive zone without mandatory approvals from the district-level monitoring committee and other competent authorities, allegedly violating the Eco-Sensitive Zone notification issued on December 18, 2018.
Allegations of Environmental Degradation
According to the plea, large-scale construction activities, excavation, tree felling, and tourism-related commercial operations are being carried out in the protected region, leading to environmental degradation and disturbance to wildlife movement corridors around the sanctuary. The petitioner argued that the alleged unauthorised activities could intensify human-wildlife conflict in villages adjoining the forest area.
Lack of Enforcement Action
The court was also informed that communications issued by the Forest Department and notices served by police authorities acknowledged the absence of mandatory permissions for some of the constructions. The petitioner alleged that despite these observations, no substantial enforcement action was initiated against the operators concerned.
Next Hearing
During the hearing, the bench took note of the allegations and directed the respondents to file their replies. The matter is expected to be heard further after the court's summer vacation.
