FIR filed against Assam CM Sadhguru on night safari in Kaziranga National Park
FIR against Assam CM Sadhguru
KAZIRANGA: An FIR has been registered against spiritual leader Sadhguru and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for alleged violation of jeep safari rules in Kaziranga National Park.
The FIR was lodged by people living near Kaziranga National Park at Bokakhat police station in Golaghat district of Assam.
The police have said that an inquiry into the matter has been started.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and spiritual guru Jaggi Vasudev, popularly known as Sadhguru, faced criticism for enjoying a safari in the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve on Saturday night.
Sadhguru, who arrived in Kaziranga to inaugurate the three-day Chintan Shivir organized by the Assam government, led a jeep safari from Mihimukh on Saturday night.
The spiritual guru went on a night safari to the central range of the national park along with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarama, Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah and senior officials of the Parks and Forests Department.
According to protocol, safaris are not allowed inside the park after sunset as it disturbs the wildlife, sources said.
FIR filed against Assam CM Sadhguru , According to the Kaziranga National Park website, jeep and elephant safaris are conducted in the park from 8 am to 10 am and 2 pm to 4 pm.
A KNP official, on condition of anonymity, said that after 5 pm, no one is allowed inside the park except park officials and staff.
Expressing serious concern, wildlife activist Mubina Akhtar accused Sadhguru of violating provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
“This is a brazen violation of wildlife conservation protocols. Sadhguru claims to be an environmentalist, doesn’t he have a basic idea of wildlife conservation principles? Akhtar told Northeast Now. .
It may be noted that in July this year, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had asked the Madhya Pradesh government to stop night safaris in the state’s tiger reserves as it is a hindrance to wildlife.
In a letter to the state forest department, the NTCA said that the night safari creates noise in the wildlife area.
“Animals are awakened by vehicle lights. This stresses the animals because they are used to natural light,” NCTA noted.
