NEW GUIDELINES ISSUED TO KEEP CHECK ON SAFARI TOURS INSIDE RTR

A first information report was registered on Sunday against 10 people, including the priest of a temple in the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR), and a fine of ₹25,000 was imposed on two more for trying to organise a bhajan/kirtan at Trinetra Ganesh Temple after closing time, said officials from the state forest department,

- HT Correspondent

JAIPUR: adding that.

Anoop KR, chief conservator and field director of RTR said the incident took place on Friday.

"Himanshu Sharma, the priest of Ranthambhore's Trinetra Ganesh Temple, had invited some friends and family members to the fort area after 4 pm on Friday. The pilgrims are allowed entry until 5 pm, and they have to return by 7 pm but a few vehicles remained in the parking area even after 8 pm, raising suspicion that some people did not return. Upon investigation, the forest staff discovered preparations underway for a bhajan-kirtan event on the occasion of the priest son's birthday."

Following the development, the forest officials also lodged an FIR against 10 people including Sharma under sections 27 and 51 of the Wildlife Act, he said. "We have seized the 12 vehicles and also imposed a ₹25,000 fine on each of them. Further investigation is underway," he said.

The matter came to the fore after cabinet minister Kirodi Lal Meena on Saturday wrote a letter to the Union forest minister Bhupendra Yadav alleging that some officials have colluded with these culprits and allowed them to organise such parties inside the forest.