JAIPUR: In a blatant violation of environmental norms and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines, Rajasthan forest department allegedly permitted a private event inside Ranthambore Fort, which lies within the Critical Tiger Habitat of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, immediately after sunset on Friday.
Over 10 vehicles, including those fitted with loud music systems, carried influential individuals into the fort for the celebration. This came to light when state agriculture minister Kirori Lal Meena reached the spot after receiving information about the gathering.
In an area where tigers frequently roam, the presence of vehicles after sunset raised serious concerns. Meena has written to Union forest minister Bhupendra Yadav for a probe.
Outraged by the perceived mismanagement, Meena staged a protest at the fort gate. Senior forest and district officials rushed to the site. The minister confronted them, accusing them of colluding with influential individuals and disregarding rules.
“Local villagers are subject to strict restrictions, while influential people manage to flout regulations with impunity. On the same day, forest personnel denied a local resident permission to offer a card to Lord Ganesh as a ritual at 4.30pm, well before sunset, citing forest rules,” Meena told TOI. The fort has a Ganesh temple and the minister was referring to it when drawing the comparison.
A senior official confirmed the episode. “Seven vehicles were seized and FIRs were registered against several individuals involved,” the official said.
In his letter to Union minister Yadav, Meena pushed for an NTCA probe and strict action against the officials who allowed the private event. “The concern deepens in light of incidents reported in Feb 2025 from Maharashtra, where poaching networks were found to be active again. Poaching is an organised crime that rapidly spreads across states. Allowing unauthorised entry into a protected area poses a grave threat to conservation efforts,” Meena wrote.
Chief conservator of forests (Wildlife) and Ranthambhore field director Anup KR was unavailable for comment.