Bombay High Court Questions Music Festival Inside Pench Tiger Reserve
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has raised serious concerns and issued a formal notice to the forest department regarding a music festival that was permitted to take place within the protected forest area of the Pench Tiger Reserve. The court has demanded a detailed explanation within six weeks, questioning how such an event was authorized in a sensitive ecological zone.
Court Takes Suo Motu Action Based on Media Reports
A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode took cognizance of media reports highlighting the organization of the "Kolitmara Music Festival" inside the reserve. The court directed the registration of a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the matter, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. This legal action was formalized after amicus curiae Chetan Sharma filed a petition in accordance with the court's earlier directives, bringing the issue to judicial scrutiny.
Details of the Festival and Promotional Activities
According to information presented before the court, the festival was planned near the Kolitmara area along a riverbank within the forest. Promotional material circulating on social media platforms, particularly Instagram, explicitly mentioned the tiger reserve and associated organizations as event organizers. The advertisement outlined that artists would perform various music genres, including:
- Sufi music
- Ghazal performances
- Pop and Indie-pop acts
The court was further informed that the promotional video for the event was filmed near the Zero Mile area of the forest department, and the official logo of the Pench Tiger Reserve was utilized in the publicity materials, potentially implying endorsement or involvement.
Broader Concerns Over Human-Wildlife Conflict
This development occurs against a backdrop of escalating human-wildlife conflict in the region over the past three years. Despite these growing tensions, authorities have allegedly prioritized expanding tourism activities within the reserve area, as mentioned in the PIL. The document highlighted that nearly a year ago, adventure sports were introduced in the Kolitmara region, followed by the initiation of boating activities. The proposed music festival has now intensified concerns regarding the cumulative impact of such recreational ventures on the protected forest landscape and its biodiversity.
The court's intervention underscores the critical need to balance tourism and entertainment with stringent conservation efforts in ecologically sensitive zones like tiger reserves. The forest department's response, due within the stipulated six-week period, will be closely watched for its implications on future permissions and environmental governance.
