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Time of India
31-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Boundaries of Nahargarh sanctuary redrawn without Wildlife Board nod
Jaipur: The Rajasthan Forest Department has altered the boundaries of Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary (NWS), reportedly benefiting luxury hotels and commercial establishments within the sanctuary and its Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ). Conservationists claim the move violates legal requirements, as the state submitted documentation and an updated map to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on July 22 without obtaining the necessary approval from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), as mandated under Section 26A of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. An affidavit filed with the NGT states that the sanctuary now covers 6,025.74 hectares across 16 villages, including three additional villages beyond the original 13 listed in 1980. This is only the second instance since Sariska where Rajasthan has redrawn the boundaries of a protected area, raising concerns about the integrity of the notified boundaries. Experts have cited the Supreme Court's decision in 2013 Centre for Environmental Law, WWF-India vs Union of India case, which mandated an NBWL recommendation before making any changes to protected area boundaries. Environmental solicitor Vaibhav Pancholy criticised the revised map and said this includes areas qualifying solely as Reserved Forest while excluding the "Described Area" — comprising revenue lands owned privately and by public bodies — traditionally documented within the sanctuary's bounds. He said, "The state forest department has unilaterally altered the boundaries. The new map was issued without obtaining the mandatory recommendation from NBWL, thereby diluting environmental safeguards and benefiting influential parties. Moreover, the no objection certificates issued on the basis of the earlier, allegedly inaccurate map, were neither revoked nor adequately addressed." According to procedure, the forest department should officially withdraw the existing map of the sanctuary before notifying a map with the revised boundaries. RTI activist Rajendra Tiwari alleged, "Last year, the NBWL standing committee refused to grant wildlife clearance to a hotel project built on ESZ land, and demolition orders were issued. Several such establishments have come up within the sanctuary and ESZ in connivance with forest officials. The state is setting a dangerous precedent by tampering with ecologically sacrosanct areas. This entire exercise appears aimed at protecting violators. " A committee member involved in preparing the new map, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that when the sanctuary was notified in 1980, the boundary descriptions were "grossly approximate." Over the past 45 years, significant topographical changes and extensive urbanisation have occurred along the original boundary. To address this, a detailed GIS-based mapping exercise was undertaken using high-resolution satellite imagery and data from sources such as e-Dharti, the Settlement Department, DoIT, and State Remote Sensing Application Centre. "The finalised file and digital map were submitted to the head of forest forces and the additional chief secretary (forest) on July 16, 2025, and to the forest minister on July 17, 2025. Final administrative approval was granted on July 18, 2025. Thus, the re-delineated boundary has received all necessary clearances," the official told TOI.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Time of India
Forest dept cracks down on illegal trade at Ropeway stn
Jaipur: The forest administration swung into action Thursday after TOI highlighted that fish spa and body massage shops were among several commercial operations being run illegally at the ropeway station connecting Annapurna Temple to Vaishno Devi Temple (Khole ke Hanuman Ji) in Jaipur — a site located on diverted forest land. Following a field inspection that revealed multiple violations of environmental and forest laws, the department removed all illegal activities mentioned in the report. A senior forest official said, "All the activities that were found to be illegal and operational were shut down by the team. A report was prepared and submitted to higher authorities." A source said, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) also took cognisance of the issue and directed the forest department to take appropriate action. The ropeway operator was granted permission to use 0.8735 hectare of forest land under strict conditions laid down by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. However, it was found that the operator was using more land than sanctioned, and several activities far beyond the approved scope were underway. In a detailed report dated July 7, the assistant conservator of forests (ACF) flagged at least fifteen major irregularities, terming them "a serious violation" of multiple laws — including the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; the Rajasthan Forest Act, 1953; the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; the Environment Protection Act, 1986; and the Rajasthan Ropeway Act, 1996. The ACF recommended legal action against the company and immediate enforcement of compliance with all applicable regulations to safeguard forest land, wildlife, and the surrounding environment. The inspection also found that high-risk adventure activities, such as a 360° zipline cycle ride, were being conducted for an additional fee without any legal clearance. Additionally, the use of plastic cups, plates, and packaging within forest premises was noted — a clear violation of environmental norms. Rajendra Tiwari, who runs an NGO working to protect the Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary, said, "As per the rules, the department should impose environmental compensation on private players for any construction carried out on forest land. If they fail to act, we will approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT)."
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Time of India
Illegal commercial activities found at ropeway station on forest land in Jaipur
Jaipur: Fish spa and body massage shops are among several commercial operations being run illegally at the ropeway station connecting Annapurna Temple to Vaishno Devi Temple (Khole ke Hanuman Ji) in Jaipur, a site located on diverted forest land. A field inspection conducted by the assistant conservator of forests (ACF), Nahargarh Biological Park, revealed serious violations of multiple environmental and forest laws. The ropeway operator was granted permission to use 0.8735 hectares of forest land under conditions laid down by the ministry of environment, forest, and climate change. However, the field report — in possession of TOI — suggests that more land than sanctioned is being utilised, and a range of activities far beyond the scope of the original approval are underway. Calling the activities "a serious violation" of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the Rajasthan Forest Act, 1953, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and the Rajasthan Ropeway Act, 1996, the ACF recommended legal action against the company and immediate enforcement of compliance with all applicable regulations to safeguard forest land, wildlife and the surrounding environment. In a detailed report dated July 7, the ACF flagged at least 15 major irregularities, including the unauthorised construction and operation of a restaurant where food is cooked using open flames, sale of plastic-packaged food items, overpriced bottled water, and the absence of a proper waste disposal system. High-wattage halogen lights were found installed at both the upper and lower ropeway stations, in violation of prescribed norms for forest areas. An official said, "The inspection also found that high-risk adventure activities like a 360° zipline cycle ride were being conducted for an additional fee, without any legal clearance. Moreover, the report noted the use of plastic cups, plates, and packaging within the forest premises — a clear contravention of environmental guidelines." Environmental activists have expressed alarm over the findings. "Running commercial spas, restaurants, and plastic-heavy food stalls inside a notified forest area is a direct violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act and other environmental laws. Such misuse of diverted land undermines the very objective of conservation. We will also take the matter to the NGT," said Rajendra Tiwari, who runs an NGO working to protect the Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mining storm brews in Sariska over boundary rationalisation
1 2 Jaipur/Alwar: A recent decision by the State Wildlife Board to "rationalise" the boundary of Sariska Tiger Reserve's (STR) Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) has triggered sharp criticism from environmentalists, wildlife experts, and the opposition Congress. The move is seen as a backdoor attempt to reopen marble and dolomite mines in the ecologically sensitive region. The proposal involves removing 48.39 sq km of hilly, human-impacted forest from the existing CTH and adding 90.91 sq km from the buffer zone as compensation. Many of the mines likely to benefit are located in villages such as Khoh, Palpur, Tilwad, Gordhanpura, Mallana, Doondpuri, Jaisinghpura, and Kalwar, all within a 1 km radius of the current CTH—an area where mining has long been prohibited. RTI activist Rajendra Tiwari raised serious legal objections, stating, "The state has no authority to reduce the area of a notified tiger reserve without following due process. Forest Clearance Approval (FCA) under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 is mandatory. The diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes is neither permissible without any public interest. Here we cannot see any public interest. If the forest department continues to bend the rules, we will move the Supreme Court. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dhoni's Exclusive Home Interior Choice? HomeLane Get Quote Undo " Former Sariska Field Director Sunayan Sharma, IFS (Retd.), echoed these concerns, calling the move a covert push to restart mining. "The realignment appears deliberately drawn to benefit dormant mining leases," he said. "This southern stretch of Sariska is a crucial wildlife corridor that connects to Jamwa Ramgarh, Dausa, and Sawai Madhopur. Mining was stopped here in 1993 after tremendous effort. Reopening it would be an environmental catastrophe. The newly added areas lack adequate prey and are close to communities known for poaching." Congress National General Secretary and former Union Minister Bhanwar Jitendra Singh also hit out at the govt, alleging that mining mafias have hijacked the system. "Tigers vanished from Sariska 10–15 years ago. It was the Congress-led govt that airlifted tigers from Ranthambhore and revived the reserve. Today, Sariska is a global success story in tiger conservation. Despite a Supreme Court ban on mining, approvals were rushed through by the State and Central Wildlife Boards. I have never seen such blatant disregard for due process." A senior forest official, however, defended the move, saying it was based on recommendations by the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which highlighted inconsistencies in the 2007–08 CTH demarcation. The Supreme Court accepted the CEC's report in March 2024 and directed the Rajasthan govt to complete the rationalisation process by December 2025. The revised proposal is now set to be reviewed by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SCNBWL) on June 26 in Dehradun. The original CTH boundaries, drawn up in 2007–08, were never formally notified due to ongoing land disputes. With Forest Minister Sanjay Sharma and Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav—both hailing from Alwar—the issue has gained priority status.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Supreme Court raps Jaipur Nagar Nigam over pollution at Jal Mahal Lake
The Supreme Court has expressed serious concerns over the ongoing environmental degradation of Jal Mahal Lake in Jaipur, based on a damning report by NEERI exposing continued pollution. JAIPUR: The Supreme Court took a stern view of the continued environmental degradation of Jal Mahal Lake in Jaipur and directed immediate compliance with the findings of the CSIR–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). NEERI submitted a detailed report exposing ongoing pollution at the site. The Court asked Jaipur Nagar Nigam to file an affidavit by the second week of July 2025, detailing a timeline for implementing urgent remedial measures. The matter stems from a November 3, 2023, order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which banned the night market operating on the banks of Jal Mahal and imposed an environmental compensation of Rs 26 lakh on Jaipur Nagar Nigam for violating environmental norms. In its appeal before the Supreme Court, the Nagar Nigam was accused—based on reports from the Assistant Conservator of Forests—of discharging untreated sewage and wastewater into the lake. During earlier hearings, the Court summoned the CEO of Jaipur Nagar Nigam to explain the ongoing violations. However, the CEO failed to present any convincing measures for lake preservation, prompting the Court to observe that such negligence runs counter to the vision of making Jaipur a 'Smart City'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 17+ Actors You Didn't Know Were Gay - No. 8 Will Shock Women Journalistate Undo The Court appointed NEERI as an expert agency to prepare a comprehensive environmental report and simultaneously stayed all proposed tourism and vending activities in the vicinity of the lake. It also directed the Nagar Nigam to ensure proper disposal of waste and complete prohibition of any commercial or informal activity near the lake. NEERI's report, submitted in April 2025, revealed that grey water, likely sewage, continues to flow into the lake through stormwater drains. It also noted that fish-feeding and dumping of organic matter were contributing to pollution. Based on these findings, NEERI recommended three immediate measures: stopping the inflow of sewage, implementing solid waste management in the surrounding areas, and halting the sale and use of fish-feed until further environmental study. Counsel appearing for petitioner Rajendra Tiwari further informed the Court that a Sulabh Shauchalaya was constructed near the lake and that its untreated effluents were also entering the water body. 'Taking note of this, the Court directed NEERI to conduct a follow-up inspection one month from now to assess the condition and impact of the public toilet. The Court reiterated that the continued discharge of untreated effluents into Jal Mahal Lake was unacceptable and a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a clean and healthy environment,' said Tiwari.
