A controversy has started in Uttarakhand over the appointment of IFS officer Rahul as the new director of Rajaji National Park. This is concerning because IFS officer Rahul is being investigated by the ED and CBI for allegedly cutting down trees and buildings without permission in the Pakhro forest area of Jim Corbett National Park.
There are also claims that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami approved Rahul’s appointment without talking to the Forest Minister and chief secretary. However, the Chief Minister’s office has denied these claims.
Statement from the Chief Minister’s Office
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) recently addressed the concerns about the appointment of IFS officer Rahul as the new director of Rajaji National Park.
In their statement, the CMO explained that after another officer was moved from the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, Rahul, who is the Chief Conservator of Forests and Regional Director, was assigned as the Director/Chief Conservator of Forests for the Core Tiger Reserve. This decision followed the proper procedures. However, the CMO mentioned that IFS officer Rahul didn’t follow the guidelines set by the Chief Conservator of Forests, so his case is being reviewed, and further actions against him are still pending.
Regarding legal matters, the CMO said that all actions are happening according to the High Court’s orders and are currently being looked at by the court.
They also pointed out that, according to the rules from the central and state governments, someone cannot be appointed if there is an ongoing investigation or disciplinary action against them. Even if there’s a suggestion to relax these rules in certain cases, appointments or transfers can’t be made in those situations.
Additionally, the CMO noted that a meeting took place on July 1, 2024, led by the Uttarakhand Chief Secretary to discuss the appointments and transfers of officers related to Rahul. After the transfer of Saket Badola, who was the Director of Rajaji National Park, it was decided to appoint Rahul to the Tiger Reserve. As a result, on August 9, 2024, he was officially made the Director of Rajaji National Park.
The statement concluded by saying that final actions will be taken according to the rules after a complete investigation.
Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal also denied the accusations against the Chief Minister, calling them unfounded. He emphasized that IFS officer Rahul was appointed as the director with everyone’s agreement and has been cleared by the Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and other agencies regarding the allegations. However, it is important to note that the CEC has not yet cleared anyone involved in the ongoing investigation.
What is the CBI Investigation About?
The IFS officer was removed from his job as director of the Corbett Tiger Reserve about two years ago when the Uttarakhand High Court noticed illegal tree cutting. This case involved both Rajaji National Park and Jim Corbett.
In September 2023, the High Court passed the investigation to the CBI after finding enough evidence. The Supreme Court also looked into the illegal tree cutting and building in Jim Corbett National Park. In March 2024, it ordered a committee to investigate, including issues about tiger safaris in the park’s buffer zones.
A report from the Director General of Forests accused Rahul of breaking several laws, including the Forest Conservation Act and the Wildlife Conservation Act. The report claimed he was responsible for ordering illegal construction at the Kugadda Forest Camp in Corbett National Park, along with a road and an elephant wall.
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat criticized the BJP government, saying, “This issue in Pakhro is very serious. Our reputation has taken a hit nationally because we didn’t protect Corbett. Officials and leaders allowed thousands of trees to be cut down without permission and built large structures there.”
He added, “A CBI investigation is still going on against the director who was in charge back then. Appointments of senior IFS officers need the Chief Minister’s approval. So, we need to ask why they ignored the ongoing investigation. It seems like the government might want to make the same mistakes as in Pakhro, thinking this officer is an expert. Until he is cleared of these charges, he shouldn’t be given such an important job.”
The Pakhro range case came to light in 2021, involving an alleged illegal building and a tiger safari in the Pakhro range of Corbett National Park. Harak Singh Rawat, the Forest Minister at that time in the BJP government, was implicated in this case and was expelled from the party.
Harak Singh Rawat was called by the ED on September 2 about the alleged misuse of funds in the Pakhro Forest Range case.
How IFS Officer Rahul Was Appointed as Director of Rajaji National Park
On August 9, 2024, IFS officer Rahul was made the director of Rajaji National Park. Before this, he was the Chief Conservator of Forests in the Forest Department and had also worked in the Evaluation and Modernisation Department.
The process to transfer IFS officers started on June 26 when the Civil Services Board began discussing new postings. By July 1, the board had finished the list of officers and sent it to the Chief Minister, the Forest Minister, the Chief Secretary, and the principal secretary for approval.
On July 18, Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal submitted a PDF list to the board. He mentioned that since Saket Badola would take over as the director of Corbett National Park, the director position at Rajaji National Park would be open. Because there were not enough officers in the Forest Department, they proposed Rahul for the job.
India Today got notes from the Civil Services Board meeting that showed the transfers were approved by the Forest Minister, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, and Principal Secretary RK Sudhanshu before the Chief Minister gave the final approval.
However, principal secretary RK Sudhanshu raised concerns about IFS officer Rahul, saying he was involved in illegal tree cutting and construction while working at Corbett National Park. This case is currently being looked at by the Supreme Court. The court said that the decision about who should lead Rajaji National Park could be changed, and someone else, like Rajiv Dhiman or Dharm Singh Meena, might take over instead of Rahul.
FAQs About Related to IFS officer Rahul as the new director of Rajaji National Park
1. Who is Rahul, the new director of Rajaji National Park?
Rahul is an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer who was recently appointed as the director of Rajaji National Park. He previously served as the Chief Conservator of Forests and Regional Director.
2. Why is there a controversy surrounding his appointment?
The controversy arises from ongoing investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding alleged illegal activities, including tree cutting and unauthorized construction in the Pakhro forest area of Jim Corbett National Park.
3. Did the Chief Minister consult the Forest Minister before the appointment?
There are claims that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami did not consult the Forest Minister or the chief secretary before approving Rahul’s appointment. However, the Chief Minister’s office has denied these allegations.
4. What did the Chief Minister’s Office say about Rahul’s appointment?
The Chief Minister’s Office stated that Rahul’s appointment followed proper procedures and that his case is currently under review due to non-compliance with guidelines set by the Chief Conservator of Forests.
5. What is the current status of the investigations against Rahul?
Rahul is under investigation for his involvement in illegal activities related to tree cutting and construction in Jim Corbett National Park. The investigations are ongoing, and further actions are pending based on the outcomes.
6. What are the rules regarding appointments amid ongoing investigations?
According to central and state government rules, an individual cannot be appointed if there is an ongoing investigation or disciplinary action against them. Any suggestions to relax these rules in specific cases do not permit appointments or transfers to proceed.
7. Who approved Rahul’s appointment as the director?
Rahul was appointed as the director of Rajaji National Park after a meeting of the Civil Services Board, which involved approvals from the Forest Minister, chief secretary, and principal secretary before receiving the Chief Minister’s final approval.
8. What actions have been taken regarding the illegal tree-cutting case?
The Uttarakhand High Court transferred the investigation of illegal tree cutting to the CBI, leading to further scrutiny and investigation into the activities surrounding both Rajaji National Park and Jim Corbett.
9. Who criticized the appointment, and why?
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat criticized the appointment, expressing concern about the government’s decision to overlook ongoing investigations, stating that it could harm the state’s reputation and lead to further illegal activities.
10. What other issues are related to the Pakhro range case?
The Pakhro range case involves allegations of illegal construction and a tiger safari in the Pakhro range of Corbett National Park. Former Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat was implicated in this case and has been summoned by the ED regarding alleged financial misconduct.