The ongoing ordeal due to COVID 19 pandemic and super cyclone in Bengal and Odisha pulling our attention to the fact that highest wealth, utmost power and even the peak of technological advancement don’t even stand a chance before the rage of nature. That it should be protected in the way it has been gifted to us. But are we concerned of it? We are talking about another man-made-disaster going to happen with Rajaji National Park and Tiger Reserve of Uttarakhand. Recently, on 20th April 2020, the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF) and Nodal Officer of Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) jointly proposed the Ministry of Forest and Climate Change to use 778 hectare land of Rajaji National Park for a time period of nine month (from 1st September 2020 to 31st May 2021) for construction to facilitate the event of Kumbh scheduled to take place next year. This proposal is direct violation of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and Forest Act 1980, which states that reserve forests cannot be given for use, on lease or in other way, for non-forest purpose or public activity; it also violates the directive given by Ministry of Environment on 10th January 2020, which states that designated forests, excluding the reserve forests, can be used for non-forest activity for maximum up to 15 days. The mentioned National Park is safe heaven for myriad bio-diversity of flora and fauna, including Leopard, Elephant, Deer and over 300 species of Birds. And all these are now under potential threat if the unjust human activity going to happen there. But, the environmental damage may happen is the second matter of concern here, the first is the decision which is allowing it to happen.

Again, this decision is also evoking future chances of using forests for non-forest/private usage. And it is also possible that a short timed gamble, like the present one, in future may turn in to a permanent headache, as it happened in Uttar Pradesh in the year 1994. In that instance land of Renukut-Mirja Pur reserve forest was distributed among enterprises like NTPC, UPEC etc. on temporary basis. Later these enterprises claimed their authority over the land which forced UP state government to go up to Supreme Court. Such contests over reserve forest lands are present from other states like Rajasthan and Chattisgarh.

Though, it is also mentioned in the proposal that Uttarakhand Forest Department will receive an amount of more than 13 crores to regenerate the bio-diversity. But, the question is, is it really possible to bring back nature in its actual shape after destroying it? Or, can we buy (or sell) nature for money? Well the examples from our own country and world pushing us for a ‘no’ to answer. It is evident, that if money can buy nature then the wealthy nations will solve climate change problem with ease but they are still struggling. If it is possible, then the drives to clean Ganga and Yamuna will succeed by now. But what loads of public money and government machinery failed to do, restricted human activity due to lockdown did within months. The message is clear, money is not an answer to environmental degeneration, and human activity is the prime factor behind disturbing environmental stability.

On the other hand, we have seen people putting their everything on stake to protect their nature and livelihood. We have seen the tribals of Niyamgiri, Odisha, who stopped Vedanta from destroying their habitat, or the very recent win of Amazonian tribe against timber companies in Brazil. Uttarakhand is the soil of Chipko movement which is responsible for the enormous amount of green we still have here. The present decision has again put the greenery and biodiversity of this state in the path of uncertain future. And today it is our turn to stand up against it and offer our future generation a healthy earth to live. If you support this cause then please sign this petition and share it to maximum.