Nagpur High Court Initiates Suo Motu PIL Over Proposed Music Festival in Pench Tiger Reserve
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has taken a firm stance against a proposed music festival planned within the protected boundaries of the Pench Tiger Reserve. On Tuesday, the court ordered the registration of a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) to investigate the legality of permissions allegedly granted for the event.
Court Takes Cognizance of Media Reports
The bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode acted upon media reports that highlighted the scheduled Kolitmara Sangeet Mahotsav within the forest area of the tiger reserve. The court expressed serious concern about the gravity of permitting such an event in a protected wildlife zone, noting potential violations of established wildlife protection norms.
The proposed festival was planned along a riverbank in the middle of the forest, with promotional content indicating performances across multiple genres including Sufi, ghazal, pop, and Indie Pop. Promotional material circulated on Instagram explicitly mentioned the Pench Tiger Reserve as a location and reportedly used the official logo of the reserve.
Escalating Human-Wildlife Conflict in Pench Region
This development comes at a critical time when human-wildlife conflict in the Pench region has intensified significantly over the past three years. Rather than prioritizing preventive measures to address these conflicts, authorities have allegedly focused on expanding tourism activities within the reserve.
The music festival represents the latest in a series of recreational developments within the protected area. Approximately one year ago, adventure sports were introduced in the Kolitmara area, followed by the launch of water-based recreational activities. The advertisement video for the music festival was reportedly shot in the forest department's Zero Mile area, further raising questions about official involvement.
Court Directs Legal Examination of Permissions
The High Court bench observed that holding a large musical gathering in a core forest zone raises fundamental questions about wildlife protection and environmental conservation. The court has directed that a public interest petition be registered to thoroughly examine the legality of any permissions granted for such events within protected wildlife areas.
The matter is expected to come up for further hearing after notices are issued to concerned authorities, including forest department officials and any organizations involved in planning the event. This judicial intervention highlights growing concerns about balancing tourism development with essential wildlife conservation efforts in India's protected forest areas.
