Madhya Pradesh: Finalise Policy In 3 Months, National Green Tribunal Tells State Government

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday directed the state government to make a policy in three months for Kabir Darshan Yatra in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.

The matter before the NGT, Central Zone Bench, Bhopal, was filed RTI activist Ajay Shankar Dubey who raised a substantial environmental question concerning the permission granted by the Field Officer of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve for the Darshan Yatra organized by Shri Sadguru Kabir Dharmdas Sahab Vanshavali. 

Dubey contended that conducting this yatra within the core area of Bandhavgarh National Park, a critical tiger habitat under Project Tiger, posed a serious threat to its fragile ecosystem, endangered its rich biodiversity, and violated provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 

He pointed out that in past years, more than 14,000 individuals participated in the yatra, entering the sensitive core zone, performing rituals in the Charanganga River, staying overnight without sanitation facilities, cutting bamboos for walking sticks, and causing pollution, noise, and ecological degradation, thereby disturbing wildlife, including tigers and their prey.

ED Saurabh Sharma Case: Chetan Singh Gour Gets Temporary Bail To Take Care Of Wife And Twins

Advocate Harshwardhan Tiwari, who appeared on behalf of the petitioner, argued that the permission lacked essential safeguards, such as limiting the number of participants, fixing entry and exit times, providing sanitation facilities, and implementing waste management measures. 

The state of Madhya Pradesh, in its reply, stated that following a meeting held on January 6, 2025, regarding the Kabir Mela in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) conducted a study from January 9-18, 2025, on the carrying capacity of pilgrims to Kabir Temple and its impact on wildlife.

Dr. Parag Nigam of WII, Dehradun, submitted his report estimating a visitor capacity of 7,000–8,000 while recommending their restriction to 4,000–5,000 due to the steep climb, damaged path, and presence of wild elephants and tigers.

The committee further recommended that visitors must register online at least a month in advance to avoid crowding, that the process be publicised, and that all visitors should travel to Kabir Cave only by vehicles provided or arranged by park management or district administration to minimise wildlife disturbance. 

These recommendations were sent to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest for government approval, and the matter was pending finalisation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) and guidelines.