Green Court seeks MP Govt reply on shifting firing range

National Green Tribunal (NGT) today sought replies from Madhya Pradesh government and others on a plea seeking shifting of a police firing range located close to Van Vihar National Park on the ground it poses a threat to endangered animals housed in the sanctuary here.
A division bench of Zonal NGT here, comprising its members Dalip Singh (judicial) and D K Agrawal (technical), issued notices to the government and others, including Forest Department, seeking their replies on the petition, and posted the matter for hearing on January 28.
According to the plea, filed by activist Ajay Dubey, a firing range of MP Police Special Armed Force's 25th battalion is located near the park, home to around 30 tigers, lions and panthers, which is managed by the Forest Department. The firing range itself exists on the park land.

Despite recommendation of a committee formed on the directive of the Supreme Court in 2007, the firing range hasn't been shifted yet. Firing in the range creates noise pollution and adversely affects the wildlife in the park, Dubey said.
Besides, bullets flying from the range pose a threat to endangered animals kept under natural habitat in the park, which also houses a zoo, rescue facility and breeding centre for endangered species, the petition maintained.