A comprehensive audit conducted by a top auditor of the Uttarakhand government has uncovered multiple financial and administrative irregularities in various forest projects, including those within the state's two tiger reserves. The audit was initiated after a National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) panel confirmed significant rule violations related to tree felling and unauthorized construction within the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR). The audit report, spanning 30 pages, mainly focuses on the proposed tiger safari in the Pakhro block, a part of the Buffer Zone of CTR, which falls under the administrative control of the CTR director.
According to the report, officials initiated construction work and procurement for the safari in CTR and Lansdowne Forest Divisions without obtaining necessary statutory approvals and administrative and financial sanctions. Furthermore, the final approval from the Central Zoo Authority under the Wildlife Protection Act/Recognition of Zoo Rules for the construction of the Pakhro Tiger Safari was still pending in March 2021, yet certain project components were executed even before receiving the official approval.
The report also highlights the lack of adherence to the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, during the construction of the safari, as work commenced nine months prior to receiving the stage II approval. Additionally, trees were cut beyond the approved limits, further compounding the violations.
Notably, the audit draws attention to the improper handling of tenders and financial matters. The lump sum tender for Tiger Bada number-1, a component of the project, was approved beyond the director's financial authority, and the contractor received an undue benefit of ₹79.89 lakh.
The report points to a lack of proper administrative, financial, technical, and statutory approvals for the Tiger Safari project and other related works. It also reveals irregularities in the procurement of generators, where one generator was installed at a private institute run by the son of the then forest minister.
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The nexus between departmental officers and contractors is highlighted, with the same set of contractors used repeatedly for various activities without open bidding. The report indicates instances of fraudulent record creation and tender manipulation in collusion with contractors, demonstrating widespread financial indiscipline within the division.
The Lansdowne Forest Division, situated between the Corbett Tiger Reserve and the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, was also found to have executed multiple works without proper approvals.
Regarding the abuse of the Corbett Tiger Reserve Foundation by the then forest minister, irregularities in vehicle hire and payments made without any provision in guidelines/rules were observed.
Given the gravity of the findings, activists have called for an impartial and fair investigation by an independent agency like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to ensure accountability and transparency.
It remains to be seen how the Uttarakhand government will respond to these audit revelations, which have brought to light a series of serious financial and administrative lapses in the tiger reserve projects.
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