After a religious procession faced a five-hour delay due to its traditional route being obstructed by an eco-tourism project in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district, the Forest Department has taken action against a Deputy Forest Range Officer (DFRO) who was accused of negligence in connection with the incident. The incident took place on November 5, when the palanquin procession of Lord Tungnath was on its way from its shrine to its winter abode at Makku Math in Rudraprayag. The procession faced an obstruction due to an ‘eco hut’ constructed under the eco tourism project, causing the delay. In response to a complaint about the five-hour delay of Lord Tungnath’s doli (palanquin), Rudraprayag Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests initiated an investigation. On Friday, instructions were issued to the Sub Divisional Forest Officer (SDFO) of the Rudraprayag Sub Forest Division to examine the matter. The SDFO’s report revealed that a hut structure, constructed for ecological tourism, was blocking the footpath at the Ragsi forest area near Makku Math, interrupting the movement of the palanquin along its traditional route. According to an order issued by the Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests, Rudraprayag, DFRO Kunwar Lal failed to take immediate action to clear the path. Lal was subsequently attached to the Divisional Office in Rudraprayag for alleged negligence and dereliction of duty. Earlier, the delay had led to outrage among devotees and temple priests, who complained to officials about the matter. Upon receiving word of the obstruction, the Forest Officer in Agastyamuni directed officers to clear the route. With support from local residents and priests, the hut was partially dismantled and moved, enabling the doli to proceed along the pathway. The SDFO’s report accused Kunwar Lal of delay in responding to the issue, and noted that his alleged inaction and failure to fulfil duties were a violation of the Uttaranchal State Employee Conduct Rules, 2002.
