In a significant move, authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit district have clamped down on ecotourism activities at a popular spot within the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR). The action was taken due to serious violations of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, which is designed to protect critical water infrastructure.
Motorboats Removed from Restricted Zone
The Sharda Sagar division officials have initiated action against tourism operations at Chuka, a scenic location on the banks of the Sharda Sagar dam inside the core forest area of PTR. As a direct part of this enforcement, two motorboats used for conducting water safaris were physically removed from the structural side of the dam. Officials issued a stern warning that the vessels would be confiscated if found operating in the restricted zone again.
Why the Dam Safety Act Forbids These Activities
Praveen Prakash Gautam, the Executive Engineer of the Sharda Sagar division, explained the legal rationale behind the crackdown. He stated that the Dam Safety Act, 2021, prohibits all human activity within a 500-metre radius of a dam's periphery. This blanket prohibition includes the construction of structures, operation of mechanised boats or vehicles, use of generators, and any device that creates vibrations or noise.
Gautam elaborated on the specific risks posed by motorboats. "The vibrations and wake generated by motorboats can damage the structure of the dam," he said, highlighting a direct threat to the safety of the 22.2km-long earthen embankment. He further added that these activities are detrimental to aquatic wildlife, including several species protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Forest Department's Stance and Lack of Coordination
The conflict reveals a clear gap in inter-departmental communication. PTR was originally granted permission in 2018 to operate only manual boats propelled by oars. However, officials alleged that the reserve later introduced motorboats and even set up a floating jetty at Chuka to boost tourism, flouting the approved norms.
Responding to the allegations, PTR Divisional Forest Officer Manish Singh acknowledged that the motorboats had been allotted to an eco-development committee to support local livelihoods and were placed in a restricted area. However, he claimed that the provisions of the Dam Safety Act were never formally shared with the forest department. "They did not hold joint meetings or discussions with us to decide on acceptable conditions," Singh stated.
Commenting on the bureaucratic impasse, senior advocate Satish Kumar Mishra pointed to poor inter-departmental coordination as the root cause. He suggested that the government should facilitate stakeholder meetings to develop a mutually accepted policy and prevent such conflicts in the future.
What Happens Next?
The Executive Engineer, Praveen Prakash Gautam, indicated that the department's action is not over. Authorities will now conduct a comprehensive review of all ecotourism-related activities at Chuka that conflict with the Dam Safety Act. Based on the findings, further action will be taken, which could include imposing a complete ban on certain activities if necessary. This development puts a spotlight on the challenge of balancing ecological conservation, tourism revenue, local livelihoods, and infrastructural safety in India's protected forest areas.
