DTR restricts night movement on key Nepal border route

Pilibhit: Authorities at Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) have imposed a night-time ban on movement along the 25-km Dudhwa-Gaurifanta road, the region’s only direct road link to the Nepal border. Effective from Saturday, the restriction applies to all vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians, with only emergency services, such as ambulances, exempted.The restriction was announced through an order issued by DTR deputy director Jagdish R, citing a Supreme Court (SC) judgment in the ‘TN Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India’ case and a subsequent directive issued on April 17 by UP principal secretary (environment, forest and climate change) V Hekali Zhimomi.Under the order, traffic on the road will remain suspended daily from 6 pm to 6 am. The route passes through Dudhwa National Park and connects Lakhimpur Kheri district with Nepal. It serves as a key transport link for Tharu tribal villages and facilitates cross-border movement for more than 40,000 community members.To reduce inconvenience, forest authorities have exempted the 12-km Dudhwa-Chandanchauki road from the restriction, although travellers will have to cover more than 20 km of additional distance to reach the Nepal border.The move has drawn objections from senior advocate SM Haider Rizvi of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court, who termed the order “a misinterpretation” of SC directions. In a representation sent on Saturday to DTR authorities and senior UP govt officials, Rizvi argued that the road passes through the reserve’s buffer zone and not the critical tiger habitat or core forest as defined under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.Referring to clause 48.8 of the SC order, which mandates strict regulation of night traffic on roads passing through core or critical tiger habitats, Rizvi argued that “a blanket 12-hour closure without road-specific scientific evidence fails the test of reasonableness”. He also contended that “the restriction infringes upon citizens’ fundamental right to free movement” and warned of filing a PIL if the decision is not reconsidered.Defending the order, DTR deputy director said, “Nearly 20 km of the 25-km stretch passes through core forest area, making the restrictions necessary for wildlife protection.”