The Supreme Court Today (Dec 11) formed a committee to address the issue of regulated car access for devotees visiting the Pandupol Hanuman temple located within Rajasthan’s Sariska Tiger Reserve. “While protecting tiger reserve, sentiments of temple devotees should also be given due consideration”: Apex Court.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday constituted a committee to devise a regulated plan for allowing devotees to access the Pandupol Hanuman temple, located within the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. The temple, which sees a significant influx of worshippers, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays, is at the center of a debate balancing environmental protection and religious sentiments.
A Bench comprising Justices BR Gavai, Sandeep Mehta, and SVN Bhatti acknowledged the need to address the concerns of both environmentalists and devotees.
“While protecting tiger reserve and sanctuary, the sentiments of the devotees who visit the temple should also be given due consideration. It is the concern of the trust and the devotees that immediate stopping of private vehicles will lead to depriving the thousands of devotees who come on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It is also concern that there is a belief among devotees that Prasad has to be offered on fulfillment of prayers,”
-the Bench noted.
The Court reiterated the importance of balancing wildlife conservation with the sentiments of the temple devotees.
“While protecting tiger reserve, sentiments of temple devotees should also be given due consideration,”
-the Court observed.
The Bench was hearing a plea filed by the Hanuman Temple Committee seeking relaxation of the restrictions on private vehicle entry into the reserve. In response, the Court established a committee tasked with exploring phased and balanced solutions.
The committee will comprise the following members:
- District Collector of Sariska
- Field Director of Project Tiger
- A member of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC)
This committee has been directed to consider the concerns of devotees, environmentalists, and wildlife experts alike.
“Said committee shall give a hearing also to the representative of a trust and arrive at a solution in balanced and phased manner,”
-the Court directed.
The matter is part of a suo motu writ petition registered last year under the larger batch of environmental cases in In Re: TN Godavarman Thirumalpad. The petition specifically focuses on issues affecting the Sariska Tiger Reserve, which has been under scrutiny for ecological hazards due to vehicle movements.
During a previous hearing in August, the Court noted that the Rajasthan government largely agreed with the CEC’s recommendations to mitigate environmental harm caused by the large number of vehicles entering the reserve. Among these suggestions was the introduction of electric shuttles for transporting devotees to the temple instead of permitting private vehicles.
Amicus Curiae K Parameswar had earlier proposed the idea of electric bus services during a hearing held in April last year. This measure aimed to provide a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for facilitating temple visits.
While the State accepted most of the CEC’s recommendations, the Court observed that some proposed deadlines for implementation were impractical or had already lapsed. Consequently, the Court permitted extensions for these deadlines to ensure feasible execution of the measures.
The Supreme Court’s decision to form a committee marks a critical step in resolving the conflict between religious practices and wildlife preservation. By prioritizing a phased and balanced approach, the Court has underscored its commitment to safeguarding India’s rich biodiversity without disregarding cultural and religious traditions.
This collaborative solution could serve as a model for similar conflicts in ecologically sensitive areas, ensuring harmony between conservation efforts and the sentiments of local communities.
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