CAG has found that a total of 40.59 per cent of the crimes related to environment in the country were committed in Rajasthan during 2014-16. Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, which was tabled in the state assembly said that the crimes were mostly related to violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act -- such as uses of forest land for non-forest purposes without approval of government -- and Wildlife Protect Act -- capturing, poisoning, trapping of wild animals.Referring to the data by the National Crime Records Bureau (October 2017), the report mentions that 15,723 cases of crimes related to environment were registered in the country during 2014-16 and the number of cases in the state during this period was 6,382, which is 40.59 per cent.
The report shows displeasure towards the attitude of the state govt. Non-constitution of state level inter-agency coordination committee and non-establishment of 'Wildlife Crime Control Units' in the department and in the state police despite directions of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Government of India, was indicative of the inaction on part of the department to prevent environment crimes in the state," the report said. It pointed out that tourist activities in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (RTR) and Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) could not be regulated in the absence of local advisory committee (LAC) which caused disturbance to wild animals.
In Ranthambhore, the report says, five of the 10 zones of core areas were not closed in monsoon seasons, contrary to the directions of the National Tiger Conservatory Authority (NTCA). The audit found that there were 18,577 cases of encroachment on forest land, involving an area of 255.05 sq km, in the state as on 1st April 2013.Audit observed that during 2013-14 to 2017-18, 36,975 new cases of encroachment involving 358.25 sq. km forest land were registered and 49,183 cases were disposed of," it said. "Encroachment were evicted from 531.39 sq km forest land while, 6,369 cases involving encroachment on 81.91 sq km of land were pending as of March 2018." The CAG said that 15,883 cases of illegal mining in forest area were registered during 2013-18, of which, 8,004 cases were disposed of by levying penalty and 7,879 cases were pending as of March 2018. The measures taken to curb illegal mining have not been successful as indicated from the number of cases registered," the report said.
