Times of India: Bhopal: Saturday, 17 August 2024.
The Madhya Pradesh Forest
Department has once again denied an RTI request seeking detailed information
about Project Cheetah, citing national security concerns. RTI activist Ajay
Dubey had requested a comprehensive set of records related to the management
and finances of the Cheetah Project in India.
Dubey’s request included documents detailing correspondence between the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the Madhya Pradesh Government, and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Wildlife Madhya Pradesh regarding the Cheetah Project from February 2024 to the date of the request. Additionally, he sought records of instructions, orders, and correspondence from Kenya, South Africa, and Namibia related to the Cheetah Project, along with any Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed with these countries from January 1, 2024, to the present.
The RTI request also asked for detailed financial records, including the budget allocated for the Cheetah Project over the past three years, expenditures related to local tribals, cheetah hospitals, and audit and inspection reports. Furthermore, Dubey sought reports of inspection tours conducted by NTCA and Government of India officials at Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. He also requested the tour diary of Shri Shubh Ranjan Sen IFS for 2023 and 2024, along with the corresponding permissions, and note sheets and correspondence related to his application submitted on July 3, 2024.
The Public Information Officer, acting as the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), denied the request, stating that the information could not be provided under Section 8 (1) (a) of the Right to Information Act 2005. This section permits withholding information if its disclosure could harm the sovereignty, integrity of India, or its relations with foreign states. The forest department’s response noted that the principal chief conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Madhya Pradesh, were contacted by telephone and confirmed that the requested information could not be disclosed under the cited section.
In response to the denial, Ajay Dubey stated, “I will move the commission and court against the chief of wildlife against these denials under the guise of national security security. I will challenge it on the proper platform.” The denial has raised concerns about transparency in the management of the Cheetah Project and the justification of national security claims for withholding public records.
Dubey’s request included documents detailing correspondence between the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the Madhya Pradesh Government, and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Wildlife Madhya Pradesh regarding the Cheetah Project from February 2024 to the date of the request. Additionally, he sought records of instructions, orders, and correspondence from Kenya, South Africa, and Namibia related to the Cheetah Project, along with any Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed with these countries from January 1, 2024, to the present.
The RTI request also asked for detailed financial records, including the budget allocated for the Cheetah Project over the past three years, expenditures related to local tribals, cheetah hospitals, and audit and inspection reports. Furthermore, Dubey sought reports of inspection tours conducted by NTCA and Government of India officials at Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. He also requested the tour diary of Shri Shubh Ranjan Sen IFS for 2023 and 2024, along with the corresponding permissions, and note sheets and correspondence related to his application submitted on July 3, 2024.
The Public Information Officer, acting as the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), denied the request, stating that the information could not be provided under Section 8 (1) (a) of the Right to Information Act 2005. This section permits withholding information if its disclosure could harm the sovereignty, integrity of India, or its relations with foreign states. The forest department’s response noted that the principal chief conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Madhya Pradesh, were contacted by telephone and confirmed that the requested information could not be disclosed under the cited section.
In response to the denial, Ajay Dubey stated, “I will move the commission and court against the chief of wildlife against these denials under the guise of national security security. I will challenge it on the proper platform.” The denial has raised concerns about transparency in the management of the Cheetah Project and the justification of national security claims for withholding public records.
.JPG)
.JPG)
