An FIR has been registered against 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 Assam’s Golaghat district. Police have said that investigation has been started in the matter.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Jaggi Vasudev, popularly known as Sadhguru, faced criticism for enjoying safari in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve on Saturday night.
Sadhguru, who arrived in Kaziranga to inaugurate a three-day meditation camp organized by the Assam government, led a jeep safari from Mihimukh on Saturday night. The spiritual leader accompanied by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Tourism Minister Jayant Malla Barua and top officials of the Parks and Forests Department went on a night safari in the central range of the national park.
Sources said safaris are not allowed inside the park after sunset as per the protocol as it causes disturbance to the wildlife. According to the Kaziranga National Park website, jeep and elephant safaris are operated in the park from 8 am to 10 am and from 2 pm to 4 pm only.
A KNP official, on the condition of anonymity, said that no one is allowed inside the park after 5 pm except for the park officials and employees.
Expressing serious concern, wildlife activist Mubina Akhtar accused Sadhguru of violating the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Akhtar said that this is a clear violation of wildlife protection protocol. Sadhguru claims to be an environmentalist. Doesn’t he have a basic idea of wildlife conservation norms?
It is noteworthy that in July this year, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had asked the Madhya Pradesh government to ban night safaris in the state’s tiger reserves as it harms wildlife. The NTCA, in a letter to the state forest department, said night safaris cause noise in the wildlife area.
The NCTA noted, animals are awakened by vehicle lights. These put animals under stress as they get used to natural light.