Following SC's Reprimand, Uttarakhand Govt Removes Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve

Dehradun: Uttarakhand government has removed a senior Indian Forest Service officer Rahul as the Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve - a post he had assumed less than a month ago.

According to the transfer order issued, Rahul is now being posted as the Chief Conservator of Forest, monitoring, assessment, IT and modernisation.

SC Lashed At Uttarakhand Government Over Official's Appointment

The Supreme Court on Wednesday reprimanded Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for appointing Rahul as the Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve disregarding the advice of the state forest minister and the chief secretary to reconsider his decision.

Rahul was the Director of Corbett Tiger Reserve when illegal tree felling and construction were carried out in the core zone of the reserve.

Heads of government cannot expect to be "kings" and "we are not in a feudal era", the Supreme Court said on Wednesday on the issue of Rahul's appointment.

The bench, also comprising Justices P K Mishra and K V Viswanathan, was hearing a matter concerning the appointment of IFS officer Rahul, a former director of the Corbett Tiger Reserve, as the director of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve. 

(With inputs from agencies)