Dehradun: Refuting the media reports regarding appointment of Rajaji Reserve chief which claims that Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami bypassed the decision of environment minister and state chief secretary in appointing director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand Forest minister Subodh Uniyal said on Thursday that it is absolutely false and this decision was taken unanimously.
Consent of forest minister and chief secretary wasn’t taken in this decision
According to the news published in some newspapers, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has handed over the charge of Rajaji Tiger Reserve to an IFS officer and chief forest conservator Rahul. This matter led to a controversy because IFS Rahul was removed from the post of head of Corbett Tiger Reserve about two years ago when Uttarakhand high court had taken cognizance of the illegal felling of trees and construction plan by Corbett Tiger Reserve at that time. Later, the state government took action against him and he was removed from his post. As per the reports, the consent of forest minister and chief secretary wasn’t included in this decision.
#WATCH | Dehradun: Uttarakhand Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal says, “There has been a media report that CM has bypassed Minister, Chief Secretary and everyone else to appoint Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve. This is absolutely false. The decision was taken unanimously, it was… pic.twitter.com/bnLG8b8vgr
— ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2024
CM Dhami’s decision on Rajaji Tiger Reserve chief appointment
CM Dhami announced the appointment of Chief Forest Conservator Rahul as the Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve via a handwritten note on August 8. Then, a controversy arose over Rahul’s suitability for the position. After his removal from Corbett Tiger Reserve, Rahul was posted on a non-field posting in Dehradun for the last two years. On 18 July, the Forest Minister, with the approval of the Chief Minister, revised the proposed transfer list of 12 IFOS officers, including the then director of Rajaji Reserve. Surprisingly, Rahul’s name was added to that list.
Appointment controversy for Rajaji Tiger Reserve chief
However, concerns arose due to ongoing disciplinary proceedings against Rahul, a CBI probe, and a related Supreme Court case regarding illegal tree felling and construction work for the Pakharo Tiger Safari within Corbett. As per the media reports, the principal secretary, chief secretary, and forest minister recommended maintaining the status quo with IFS Rahul. They suggested assigning the additional charge of Rajaji to a qualified officer from the surrounding areas. On July 24, the Forest Minister revised the proposal, granting the additional charge of Rajaji to the Conservator of Forests (Bhagirathi Circle).
Rahul was appointed as chief of Rajaji Tiger Reserve
Rahul’s appointment was confirmed with a handwritten note from CM Dhami. It was written that the appointment of CCF Rahul to the post of Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve was proposed and it has been approved. Forest minister Subodh Uniyal said in an interview given to ANI, “As far as media reports of CBI inquiry is concerned, CBI inquiry is going on against several people in several matters. Strict action has been taken if something is found against him. A CBI inquiry doesn’t mean that everyone in the department is considered guilty.”
The matter came to fore in December 2021
In December 2021, the Pakhro Tiger Safari project in the Corbett Tiger Reserve came under scrutiny due to illegal tree felling. The government had initiated a project without obtaining legal, administrative, or financial approval. The proposed plan exceeded the approved project cost by six times, amounting to at least Rs 157 crore. In January 2022, the Uttarakhand High Court issued a directive to the state government regarding illegal construction activities. The court emphasized the need to hold officials accountable for these unauthorized actions.
Rahul was attached to the office of PCCF
In April 2022, the state government took stern action and suspended two forest officials and removed Rahul from the post of Corbett director. Rahul was attached to the office of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) in Dehradun. In 2023, the matter reached the Supreme Court.
In February 2024, the Enforcement Directorate had searched several premises belonging to former Uttarakhand forest minister Harak Singh Rawat in connection with alleged illegal activities inside Corbett. In March this year, the Supreme Court reprimanded the Uttarakhand government and ordered that a committee be formed to suggest ways to repair the ecological damage.
