By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 20 Aug: Former Cabinet Minister, Harak Singh Rawat today claimed that he has been exonerated by CBI in the Pakhro Range Tiger Safari case. Citing the charge sheet submitted by the CBI, Rawat claimed that his name does not feature among those accused. He claimed that on the basis of the chargesheet, it can be stated that the CBI has absolved him of any wrongdoing in the case.
It may be recalled that the Pakhro Safari case, which pertains to alleged irregularities in the Corbett Tiger Reserve, has been under prolonged scrutiny by both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Several officials have been interrogated during the course of the investigation and now a chargesheet has been finalised which is pending adjudication in court. Harak Singh Rawat was the forest minister in Trivendra Singh Rawat Government when this scam allegedly happened. Rawat has now publicly stated that both central agencies have cleared him of any involvement.
Rawat has claimed that the CBI has formally submitted its charge sheet in the competent court, and his name is conspicuously absent from the list of accused. He further noted that while several officials have been charge-sheeted, the government’s sanction has been sought to prosecute some of them. He also maintained that he had no role in the alleged violations and that this has been vindicated by the investigative process.
Rawat reiterated that the Pakhro Tiger Safari was a cherished vision during his tenure and continues to be close to his heart. He emphasised that the Supreme Court had not imposed any stay on the project, and that his intentions were always aligned with ecological development and regional progress. He alleged that certain officials and people driven by vested interests, attempted to implicate him unfairly. Rawat contended that the chargesheet itself stands as evidence of his innocence and the CBI’s endorsement of his position. He further declared that should the Congress government assume power, he would ensure the completion of the safari project, which he described as vital for the socio-economic upliftment of Garhwal.
It may be recalled that the controversy regarding the proposed Pakhro Tiger Safari project is related to the year 2019, when the then BJP-led government under Trivendra Singh Rawat had sought clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to establish a tiger safari in the Pakhro range of Corbett National Park. At that juncture, Harak Singh Rawat was serving as the Forest Minister of Uttarakhand.
Following a central approval, construction commenced on 106 hectares of forest land within the Pakhro range. The state government had initially claimed that only 163 trees would be felled for the project. However, subsequent investigations revealed that a staggering 6,903 trees had been cut, triggering widespread concern and controversy.
The issue was first flagged by wildlife activist Gaurav Bansal, who had approached the Delhi High Court. In response, the court directed the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to conduct a thorough inquiry in 2021. The NTCA constituted a committee which undertook an inspection of Corbett Park in September 2021 and submitted its findings on 22nd October 2021.
The NTCA’s report recommended a vigilance probe and disciplinary action against the officials responsible for the unauthorised tree felling.
Acting on the report, the Uttarakhand High Court also took suo moto cognisance in this matter. Subsequently, the Uttarakhand Forest Department commissioned the Forest Survey of India (FSI) to carry out an independent investigation. Employing satellite imagery and on-ground inspections across the Pakhro, Kalu Shahid, Nalkhatta, and Kalagarh blocks, the FSI confirmed that 6,903 trees had indeed been felled, far exceeding the sanctioned number. The revelations transformed the case into a major environmental and administrative issue, drawing national attention and legal scrutiny.
It now remains to be seen if the CBI has really absolved Rawat of any involvement in the case, particularly in respect of the illegal felling of a very large number of trees.
