While a CBI probe into illegal tree felling and unauthorised construction inside the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) is still underway, the Uttarakhand Forest Department finds itself entangled in yet another multi-crore scam—this time in Pithoragarh.
The scandal involves large-scale unauthorised construction and deforestation, as revealed in a probe report prepared by renowned anti-corruption crusader, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee and Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, Sanjeev Chaturvedi.
An investigation report submitted by Chaturvedi in December 2024 and January 2025 has brought to light gross financial irregularities and unauthorised construction activities allegedly carried out by former Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Vinay Kumar Bhargava in 2019.
Acting on the findings, the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led government has issued a show-cause notice to Bhargava, who currently holds the position of Forest Conservator.
Officials in the state Secretariat confirmed that Chaturvedi’s report uncovered massive corrupt practices during Bhargava’s tenure as DFO of Pithoragarh.
Reacting to the revelations, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated on Saturday:
“The guilty, no matter who they are, will not be spared. The government has already initiated action, and the concerned official has been served a notice. We have a zero-tolerance policy against corruption.”
According to the report, the alleged irregularities—amounting to several crores—relate to the construction of multiple concrete structures in the protected Munsyari Range of the Pithoragarh Forest Division in 2019.
These constructions were carried out without obtaining the mandatory approvals from competent authorities. Moreover, payments were made to a private firm for the supply of construction materials without adhering to the mandatory tendering process.
Chaturvedi’s report further claims that all the construction took place within a reserved forest area, in clear violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and without any prior permission from central government authorities. The illegal structures reportedly include a hostel building, a sales centre for forest cottage industry products, 10 VIP eco-huts, and a growth centre.
In his detailed investigation—spanning over 500 pages—submitted in December 2024 and January 2025, Chaturvedi recommended that a criminal case be registered against Bhargava and the matter be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) for further investigation into possible money laundering.
Notably, the Uttarakhand Forest Department is already under scrutiny in connection with a CBI probe into another multi-crore scam involving illegal construction and tree felling in the Corbett Tiger Reserve. That case is also pending before the Supreme Court of India.