The Chhattisgarh High Court has issued a final ultimatum to the state government to determine the fate of Guru Ghasidas National Park, potentially the last sanctuary for the Cheetah and White Tiger, by declaring it a Tiger Reserve. This pivotal decision follows a petition filed by wildlife activist Ajay Dubey, urging action on the long-pending proposal.

Guru Ghasidas National Park, originally part of the larger Sanjay National Park in Madhya Pradesh, was bifurcated during the formation of Chhattisgarh in 2000. Spanning approximately 1440.71 square kilometers in the Koriya District, it stands as a haven for diverse flora and fauna, drawing nature enthusiasts from across the country.

The park’s significance has been underscored by its potential as a Tiger Reserve, a proposal that has lingered since 2012 when the state wildlife board first decided in principle to declare it so. Despite subsequent approvals from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Ministry of Environment and Forest, delays in issuing the necessary notification have persisted, prompting Dubey’s legal challenge.

During a recent hearing, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal expressed dismay at the state’s inaction despite repeated extensions granted earlier in March and April 2024. The court firmly directed the state counsel to present a definitive stance within four weeks, emphasizing that no further delays would be tolerated.

In response to the petition, additional advocate general Y S Thakur, representing the state, sought an adjournment citing the ongoing deliberative process within the government. However, the court was resolute in its stance, highlighting the constitutional and statutory obligations binding the state to act decisively under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Ajay Dubey’s plea, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, argued that the prolonged delay in establishing the Tiger Reserve undermined conservation efforts mandated by national wildlife laws. The petitioner contended that the integration of Guru Ghasidas National Park with the Tamor Pingala Sanctuary into the proposed Guru Ghasidas Tamor Pingala Tiger Reserve was crucial for safeguarding the tiger population in Chhattisgarh.

The NTCA had previously granted in-principle approval for the reserve’s creation in 2014, outlining the necessity for a formal proposal under Section 38 V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Despite these requisites being met, the state’s failure to act has perpetuated uncertainty around the conservation status of the area.

Records presented during the hearing affirmed that all procedural steps for the reserve’s formation were completed as early as 2014. However, the absence of a formal declaration has stymied progress, prompting concerns from conservationists and environmental activists alike.
Guru Ghasidas National Park forms a crucial part of the expansive Central Indian landscape, linking with Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, as well as Palamau Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand. It is integrated into the Bandhavgarh-Sanjay-Guru Ghasidas-Palamu complex, showcasing robust connectivity through forests managed by GMP FD, Manendragarh, and Koriya FD. Once declared a Tiger Reserve, in-principal approval for which was granted by NTCA in 2014, alongside Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary, it will bolster conservation efforts. Tamor Pingla connects with Semarsot and Badalkhol Wildlife Sanctuaries in northern Chhattisgarh, enhancing the larger landscape for wildlife, including thriving populations of elephants and tigers. This vast, well-managed forested expanse spanning over 13,000 km² holds immense potential for sustaining diverse wildlife populations such as elephants, sloth bears, and leopards.
The court’s directive has underscored the urgency of protecting this invaluable natural heritage, urging the state government to prioritize its responsibilities towards wildlife preservation. As stakeholders await the state’s decision within the stipulated timeframe, the future of Guru Ghasidas National Park hangs in the balance, with conservationists hopeful for a positive outcome that ensures its continued ecological significance for generations to come.