In response to a complaint by Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena to the Centre, the state forest department is learnt to have told the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in a factual report earlier this month that no “birthday party” was organised on April 4, at the fort and Trinetra Ganesh temple inside the core zone of the Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve. On April 5, Meena wrote to Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, alleging that in connivance with forest department officials, a birthday party was organised at the Ranthambore fort inside the reserve’s core zone. Even though core zones of the park are typically off-limits for people, pilgrims can access the temple in Ranthambore's core zone as it is a revered ancient site. Though the forest department has denied the charges, a three-member team of NTCA is investigating on the directions of the Environment Ministry. In his letter, Meena said he had visited the Ganeshdham gate on the evening of April 4, along with villagers, after getting information about the alleged illegal entry and had confronted the forest officials. During an inspection on April 4, deputy conservator and assistant conservator found private vehicles in the parking area meant for tourists and pilgrims at Jogi Mahal, a former hunting lodge, and directed a range forest officer to take action. When the range officer and his team reached the Trinetra Ganesh temple in the fort premises, they found the temple Mahant, some other priests living there and a group preparing for prayers and bhajan, it was learnt. The officials ordered all, except those living in the temple, to leave and sent them to Jogi Mahal gate (close to the fort). The vehicles were seized under the Wildlife Protection Act. A fine of Rs 25,000 per vehicle was imposed and a total of Rs 3,50,00 was recovered, it was learnt. Anoop K R, field director, Ranthambore national park and tiger reserve, said, “It was a group of 30-40 people, most of them related to the temple Mahant. There were about 12 vehicles. People are allowed to visit the temple inside the ASI protected fort, but they must leave before sunset.” The forest department, it was learnt, also informed NTCA about the interaction between Meena and forest department staff. Along with his supporters and locals, Meena spoke to the officers when they were acting against those who violated the park’s entry and exit rules. Responding to the forest department's factual report, Meena told The Indian Express, “What I have written in my complaint is 100% correct, they are saying all this to save themselves.” Meena said that people in this region have been going to the religious sites inside the park for decades on foot, exposing them to the threat of wildlife attacks. “Days ago, a seven-year-year boy was snatched by a tiger in front of his grandmother. These people are forced to walk even as vehicles are available,” Meena said. In its report to the NTCA, it was learnt that the forest department has claimed that before Meena confronted officials, a crowd of about 200 people had entered the Kundera range of the reserve forcibly to hold a bhandara (religious feast) at the Kacheeda Mata temple inside the park. According to forest department officials, the locals were earlier denied permission to hold a feast of about 1,500 people at the site due to frequent presence of wildlife. It was learnt that the Ranthambore field staff have filed a complaint with the local police. Meena demanded that the forest department provide video evidence of forcible entry on April 4 and furnish proof of applications requesting permission to host a 'bhandara' and that it was rejected.
