SC panel to protect NGO targeted by forest staff

In its complaint to the SC’s Central Empowered Committee, which is supervising all forest cases, the KWF had alleged that its offices were raided because it highlighted a series of ‘‘violations’’ by forest officials. These ranged from illegal removal of dead and fallen bamboo to major violations like failure to notify a portion of the national park, despite an SC order.

The SC panel has now decided to set up an independent inquiry and ordered that summons against the KWF, issued by the Forest Department, will be stayed till the probe report is filed.

Incidentally, a probe had already been ordered by the Chief Minister of Karnataka.

‘‘We have been wilfully targeted,’’ said noted conservation biologist and KWF advisor Ullas Karanth. He stressed that the ‘‘fight’’ was not against the Forest Department but two senior officials — Deputy Conservator of Forests Anita Arekal and Conservator of Forests K.S. Sugura.

The NGO had questioned their decision to carve a new road through the national park’s evergreen forests. And had also sought information on their overall management plan for the park under the Karnataka Right to Information Act 2000.

Denied the information, a complaint was sent to the Principal Secretary, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, who, in turn, recommended disciplinary action on the Conservator of Forests and his Deputy. This was when the battlelines were drawn.

A list of 78 questions was sent to the NGO, ranging from their source of funding, registration details to permission required to work within the forest. Charges were later slapped under the Wildlife Protection Act and the Karnataka Forest Rules for trespassing in the park in 2001. The DCF issued summons to the NGO on April 19.

Three days later, the DCF raided the premises of Niren Jain, another KWF member, and seized computers, diaries and documents. Jain alleges that there were no independent witnesses during the search.

Both Arekal and Sugura were present at the two-hour hearing today. Their counsel questioned whether the committee had powers to entertain the NGO’s application. Asked for his reaction, Arekal said: ‘‘I have nothing to say at this point of time.’’

Besides Karanth, also present at the hearing were Praveen Bhargava of Wildlife First and KWF’s Niren Jain and Sanjay Gubbi.