Uttarakhand to probe alleged financial irregularities in Rajaji Tiger Reserve

The Uttarakhand forest division has instituted an inquiry into alleged monetary irregularities within the Rajaji Tiger Reserve (RTR) throughout final 5 years.

Jai Raj, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) Uttarakhand forest division mentioned on Sunday that he has ordered an inquiry into the allegations of economic irregularities in Rajaji Tiger reserve over the last 5 years.

“I have ordered the constitution of a four-member probe committee in this regard which will submit its report within two months”, he mentioned. HT has a replica of the order issued on Friday (October 23).

It says the inquiry has been ordered following complaints in 2018 by three males concerned with wildlife points – Dinesh Chandra Pandey, Rajeev Mehta and Aditya Sharma. An earlier probe had discovered irregularities within the Motichur vary of RTR. The report within the matter was submitted in March 2019 which said that there have been monetary irregularities within the vary, particularly with regard to approving receipts with out scrutiny, elimination of Lantana grass, meals receipts of patrolling workers and so forth.

According to the PCCF’s order, when vary officers/forest officers had been requested in regards to the irregularities in Motichur vary, they mentioned such issues had been occurring in different ranges of RTR additionally. This makes it clear that monetary irregularities have been dedicated in RTR on an enormous stage, the order states.

The four-member probe committee constituted by PCCF consists of further PCCF (administration), chief conservator of forests (personnel), monetary controller state forest division and honorary warden RTR.

RTR unfold over 820 sq km in three districts of Uttarakhand- Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal, was established in 1983. In April 2015, Rajaji was declared as a tiger reserve, changing into the second tiger reserve within the state after Corbett Tiger Reserve.

RTR is dwelling to 23 species of mammals and over 300 species of birds. It has 38 tigers whereas the entire Rajaji panorama has 52 tigers, as per the most recent All India Tiger Estimation Report.