BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh forest department has yet again denied an RTI request for information on Project Cheetah, citing ‘national security concerns’.
RTI activist Ajay Dubey, who requested records on management and finances of Project Cheetah, is stunned at having his second request turned down. “I will appeal to the information commission and move court against the state chief of wildlife against these denials under the guise of ‘national security’.I will challenge it on the proper platforms,” Dubey said, wondering how ‘national security’ is any reason to withhold public records on cheetahs. The denial has raised concerns about transparency in the management of Project Cheetah.
Ten cheetahs died at Kuno National Park since March last year, 4 of them being cubs born in India.
Last month, Dubey’s RTI plea for information on cheetah management was turned down on the plea that it had ‘potential to harm India’s sovereignty and integrity’. When the refusal made headlines, MP govt had to explain itself to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), where it claimed the information concerned ‘national security’.
Just how, was not explained then, nor now.
In his second RTI query, Dubey asked for financial records, including budget allocated for Project Cheetah over the past 3 years, and expenditures related to local tribals, cheetah hospitals, and audit and inspection reports. He also sought documents detailing correspondence since Feb 2024 between NTCA, Madhya Pradesh govt and principal chief conservator of forests, wildlife, on the cheetah project. He sought records of instructions, orders, and correspondence from Kenya, South Africa and Namibia related to the project, along with any MoUs signed with these countries since January 1, 2024.
RTI activist Ajay Dubey, who requested records on management and finances of Project Cheetah, is stunned at having his second request turned down. “I will appeal to the information commission and move court against the state chief of wildlife against these denials under the guise of ‘national security’.I will challenge it on the proper platforms,” Dubey said, wondering how ‘national security’ is any reason to withhold public records on cheetahs. The denial has raised concerns about transparency in the management of Project Cheetah.
Ten cheetahs died at Kuno National Park since March last year, 4 of them being cubs born in India.
Last month, Dubey’s RTI plea for information on cheetah management was turned down on the plea that it had ‘potential to harm India’s sovereignty and integrity’. When the refusal made headlines, MP govt had to explain itself to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), where it claimed the information concerned ‘national security’.
Just how, was not explained then, nor now.
In his second RTI query, Dubey asked for financial records, including budget allocated for Project Cheetah over the past 3 years, and expenditures related to local tribals, cheetah hospitals, and audit and inspection reports. He also sought documents detailing correspondence since Feb 2024 between NTCA, Madhya Pradesh govt and principal chief conservator of forests, wildlife, on the cheetah project. He sought records of instructions, orders, and correspondence from Kenya, South Africa and Namibia related to the project, along with any MoUs signed with these countries since January 1, 2024.