Officials and environmental activists have raised serious allegations against the owner of a large property constructed adjacent to the core area of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Uttar Pradesh. The individual is accused of blatantly violating directives from the Supreme Court and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Construction Flouts Protected Forest Norms
The premises, owned by Kamlesh Kumar Mathur from Lucknow, is situated next to the Mahof forest range. Despite stringent prohibitions on human activity inside tiger reserves, construction materials were allegedly transported through the core forest area. Activists claim this was done with the collusion of certain local forest department personnel.
In a further violation, drain pipes from the property have been opened directly towards the wildlife habitat, posing a significant threat to the ecosystem. Range officer Sahendra Singh Yadav registered a departmental case under Sections 27 and 29 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. However, the case was filed only against a labour contractor and a fourth-class worker, leaving out the name of the premises owner. Yadav stated that he lacked the full identity details of the accused individuals.
Defiance of Supreme Court's Eco-Sensitive Zone Order
The controversy hinges on the enforcement of Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ). In its landmark order on June 3, 2022, in the TN Godavarman case, the Supreme Court mandated a default 10-kilometre ESZ around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries where official notifications were pending. Any activity within this zone requires prior clearance from forest authorities.
Records show that Mathur was served a notice as early as November 18, 2021, by the then PTR divisional forest officer Naveen Khandelwal. The notice directed an immediate halt to construction for violating ESZ norms. Despite this, the work reportedly continued, with construction material eventually being dumped inside the core forest area, where all non-forest human activity is strictly prohibited.
While a revised ESZ proposal of 1–2 km was later sent to the state government, the Union environment ministry has not yet notified it. Consequently, the 10-km ESZ ordered by the Supreme Court remains legally binding around Pilibhit, which was declared a tiger reserve on June 9, 2014.
Broader Pattern of Violations and Impending Legal Battle
Forest officials suspect the premises is intended to be a resort. It is reportedly one of over 50 similar structures being built around the reserve, potentially blocking crucial wildlife corridors. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, PTR divisional forest officer Manish Singh wrote to the District Magistrate on April 3, seeking strict action against such illegal resorts. He cited Union environment ministry guidelines from February 9, 2011, which mandate prior forest clearance.
The legal battle is set to intensify. Senior high court lawyer Satish Kumar Mishra announced that a writ petition detailing the violations at PTR and the non-compliance with Supreme Court directions will be filed on January 5 next year, when the court reopens. This case puts a spotlight on the ongoing tension between development pressures and the imperative to protect India's critical tiger habitats.
