SC Panel Probes Encroachments in Ranthambore

Quick Summary

• The supreme Court (SC) has formed a three-member committee to investigate issues related to encroachments, religious gatherings, and mining activities at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan.
• All mining activities inside the core area of the reserve have been halted by SC, including illegal operations within RTR.
• The Rajasthan state government has been directed to ensure compliance with this prohibition and submit a detailed affidavit within six weeks enumerating steps taken toward implementation.
• The order was issued following pleas from Sanjay Kumar,an environmental activist concerned about unchecked commercial developments and inadequate conservation measures within RTR’s protected zone.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The intervention by the Supreme Court underscores the increasing challenges in balancing conservation efforts with human activity in ecologically sensitive areas like Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. Encroachments and unregulated activities not only threaten wildlife habitats but also undermine India’s commitments to preserving biodiversity hotspots such as RTR. assigning accountability through affidavits may promote clarity but requires robust enforcement mechanisms by local authorities for meaningful impact.Moreover, addressing unchecked religious gatherings alongside commercial developments implies deliberation between ecological protection and cultural practices-a delicate equilibrium that must be approached collaboratively while safeguarding sustainability principles.

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