RTI for Uttarakhand Forest Department — Jim Corbett NP, Rajaji TR, Van Panchayat and CAMPA Fund Records

Uttarakhand, carved from the hill districts of Uttar Pradesh in 2000, is among India's most forest-rich states, with roughly 45% of its geographic area under forest cover spanning the Terai belt, the Shivalik ranges, the mid-Himalayan hills, and the high alpine zones. The Uttarakhand Forest Department administers this landscape — one that holds India's first national park, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a unique system of community-managed Van Panchayats found nowhere else in India, a contested semi-nomadic pastoral community (the Van Gujjars), and eco-sensitive zones around which illegal construction has prompted sustained judicial scrutiny. For citizens, researchers, tribal and Van Gujjar community members, and environmental advocates, the Right to Information Act, 2005 is a primary tool for holding this vast department accountable.

This guide explains how to file RTI with the Uttarakhand Forest Department, which authority to approach for which category of information, and how the appeal process works — including the critical point that all second appeals go to the Uttarakhand Information Commission (UIC), not the Central Information Commission.

Uttarakhand Forest Department — Administrative Structure

The Uttarakhand Forest Department is headed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), headquartered at Van Bhawan, Dehradun – 248001. Below the PCCF are Chief Conservators of Forests (CCFs) heading territorial and wildlife circles, Conservators of Forests (CFs) at the circle level, and Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) as the principal field officers at the forest division level. Tiger reserves and national parks are headed by Field Directors (typically of the rank of CF or DFO) who report upward through the wildlife wing of the department.

For RTI purposes, the DFO's office is the most important first point of contact for division-level records — encroachments, Van Panchayat audit records, plantation and CAMPA utilisation, and FRA-related Forest Department objections. For tiger reserve or national park-specific data — wildlife census, eco-tourism revenue, wildlife crime FIRs — file with the Field Director's office. For aggregated state-level data or PCCF-level policy documents, file with the CPIO at the PCCF's office in Dehradun.

Jim Corbett National Park and Rajaji Tiger Reserve

Jim Corbett National Park in the Ramnagar area (Nainital and Pauri Garhwal districts) is India's first national park, established in 1936 as Hailey National Park and renamed in 1957. It forms the core of the Corbett Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger and consistently records one of the highest tiger densities of any protected area in India. The reserve spans approximately 1,318 square kilometres across five zones — Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Durga Devi, and Sonanadi — with the Dhikala zone (the core) closed to tourists during the monsoon season. The Corbett landscape also encompasses the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary to its east, and together these form a larger landscape with forest corridors extending into the Terai forests.

Rajaji National Park and Tiger Reserve, spread across Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal districts, was upgraded to a Tiger Reserve and is a critical elephant migration corridor. The Rajaji landscape connects the Shivalik forests eastward to Corbett and westward into the forests of Himachal Pradesh. Rajaji is also the historical habitat of Van Gujjar communities whose seasonal migration routes traversed the forests now within the reserve boundaries.

RTI can obtain from the Field Directors of Corbett and Rajaji: the latest tiger population estimate and methodology used; records of tiger, leopard, and elephant mortalities by cause; wildlife crime FIRs registered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, with FIR numbers and prosecution status; eco-tourism revenue collected and its utilisation; and records of anti-poaching operations.

Van Panchayats — Community Forests Unique to Uttarakhand

The Van Panchayat system is an institution that exists nowhere else in India in quite the same form. Van Panchayats are community forest bodies formally constituted under the Kumaon Panchayat Forest Rules (later the Uttarakhand Panchayati Forest Rules, 2005), with defined forest patches — typically areas of oak, pine, or mixed forests adjacent to villages — assigned to elected Van Panchayat committees for collective management, protection, and regulated use.

There are over 12,000 Van Panchayats across the Kumaon and Garhwal hill districts of Uttarakhand, covering approximately 4.5 lakh hectares of forest land. They are distinct from both the state forest department's reserved and protected forests, and from the Forest Rights Act community forest rights framework — Van Panchayats predate independence and have a dedicated legal and administrative framework. Van Panchayats collect revenue from the regulated extraction of timber, grass, resin (from chir pine), medicinal plants, and other non-timber forest produce, and this revenue belongs to the Van Panchayat to spend on forest protection and community development.

Van Panchayat records — the income and expenditure accounts, audit reports, resolutions of the Van Panchayat committee, and DFO inspection reports — are official records maintained under government rules and are disclosable under the RTI Act. RTI can expose: revenue that was collected but not accounted for; expenditure made without committee resolutions; DFO inspection reports that note deficiencies in management; grants received from government schemes (such as the National Afforestation Programme) and their utilisation; and whether Van Panchayat land has been encroached upon by private parties or diverted for non-forest use.

The DFO is the supervising authority over Van Panchayats in a division — inspection reports, audit objections, and correspondence between the DFO and the Van Panchayat committee are held in the DFO's office and are the correct starting point for RTI on Van Panchayat matters.

Van Gujjars and Forest Rights Act 2006 Claims

Van Gujjars are a semi-nomadic, Muslim pastoral community whose traditional livelihood is based on buffalo herding in the forests of the Shivalik foothills. Historically, Van Gujjar families practised seasonal transhumance — moving their herds between the Shivalik forests and the high Himalayan pastures (bugyals) in summer, descending to the foothills in winter. Their migration routes passed through what are now Rajaji National Park, Corbett Tiger Reserve, and the Shivalik forest divisions of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA 2006) grants both individual forest rights (IFR) over cultivated or habitation land and community forest rights (CFR) including rights to grazing, seasonal use of pastures, and collection of non-timber forest produce (NTFP). Van Gujjars who do not qualify as Scheduled Tribes may qualify as 'Other Traditional Forest Dwellers' if they can demonstrate forest dependence for at least three generations (75 years before 13 December 2005) — a standard that most Van Gujjar families meet through oral history and documents.

FRA 2006 claim processing in Uttarakhand has been particularly contested for Van Gujjar families in the Rajaji National Park landscape. Many families were relocated during the creation of Rajaji NP; others whose relocation was disputed filed FRA claims seeking formal recognition of their traditional habitat rights. The three-tier adjudication process — Forest Rights Committee (FRC) at the Gram Sabha, Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC), and District Level Committee (DLC) — involves the Forest Department as a stakeholder that may file written objections, but the DLC chaired by the District Collector is the final adjudicating authority. The Forest Department cannot unilaterally block a claim.

RTI from the DFO's office can obtain: copies of Forest Department objections filed against specific Van Gujjar FRA claims, the legal provisions cited in those objections, and whether physical verification was conducted. From the DLC (District Collector's office), RTI can obtain the DLC's final order, rejection reasons (if rejected), and whether the Gram Sabha's FRC recommendation was followed or overridden.

Forest Encroachments and Action Taken Reports

Forest land encroachment — ranging from agricultural expansion into reserved forest land to illegal construction in eco-sensitive zones — is a persistent issue across the Terai and Shivalik forest divisions of Uttarakhand. Under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the Forest Department's own rules, the DFO has powers to detect, record, and initiate eviction proceedings.

RTI can obtain from the DFO's office: the encroachment detection register for a named beat, range, or division for a specified period; the area encroached and the category of forest land (reserved forest, protected forest, or Van Panchayat forest); whether FIRs were registered under the Indian Forest Act; whether eviction notices were issued and whether actual eviction followed; and the current status of each pending case.

Action-taken reports (ATRs) are the most revealing documents — they record what the department actually did after detecting an encroachment, as distinct from what it reports doing. Repeated detection of the same encroachment across successive years with no prosecution, or eviction notices issued but never enforced, emerge clearly from a reading of consecutive ATRs.

CAMPA Fund Utilisation

The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 established CAMPA to manage funds collected from developers whose projects involve the diversion of forest land. Both Central CAMPA and the State CAMPA account for Uttarakhand hold funds meant for compensatory afforestation, plantation maintenance, protection infrastructure, and eco-restoration of degraded forest lands. Uttarakhand's hydropower and road-building projects — including several in the Himalayan forests — generate significant CAMPA obligations.

CAMPA funds have been criticised nationally for poor utilisation, afforestation on unsuitable or already-forested land, low survival rates for planted saplings, and inadequate monitoring. RTI can expose each of these failure points. From the DFO's office, you can obtain: the Annual Plan of Operations (APO) for CAMPA activities in the division for a given year; fund releases and expenditure statements; the area under compensatory afforestation, species planted, and density achieved; the survival rate assessment report for plantations raised in previous years; and whether expenditure on plantation supervision was made through proper procurement.

From the PCCF's office, state-level CAMPA fund receipts and utilisation across divisions and financial years are obtainable — useful for researchers and advocacy organisations tracking whether the destruction of Uttarakhand's Himalayan forests through infrastructure projects is being adequately compensated.

Eco-Sensitive Zone Compliance Around Corbett and Rajaji

The eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) notified around Jim Corbett National Park and Rajaji Tiger Reserve under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 have been the subject of persistent litigation, NGT orders, and public concern. The areas immediately surrounding Corbett — particularly the Ramnagar belt — saw a proliferation of resorts, hotels, and tourist establishments, several built within the ESZ without valid clearances and, in some cases, on forest or revenue land. The National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court have passed multiple orders directing the Uttarakhand Forest Department and district administration to take action against non-compliant establishments.

RTI can obtain: the list of hotels, resorts, and commercial establishments that have applied for and received ESZ clearance, those denied clearance, and those operating without any formal application; copies of show-cause notices, demolition orders, or eviction orders issued to non-compliant establishments; ATRs on specific NGT or court orders directing action; and compliance affidavits submitted by the Uttarakhand government to the NGT or Supreme Court regarding ESZ enforcement. For activists and journalists tracking whether judicial orders on illegal hotels are actually being implemented, this data is essential.

ESZ monitoring is a shared responsibility between the Forest Department and the district administration. RTI filed with the DFO (for forest-land-specific violations) and with the District Collector / District Magistrate (for revenue land violations and compliance reporting to courts) together provides the most complete picture.

Other Protected Areas — Nanda Devi, Valley of Flowers, and High-Altitude Sanctuaries

Nanda Devi National Park (Chamoli district) and Valley of Flowers National Park (Chamoli district) are UNESCO World Heritage Sites (inscribed together as 'The Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks') and form part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, one of India's highest-altitude biospheres. RTI with the Field Director's offices for these parks can obtain entry permit records, research permit records, and compliance data for the strict no-tourism-in-core-zone rules.

Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Askot Wildlife Sanctuary (home to the snow leopard), Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary are other significant protected areas. Records of wildlife surveys, anti-poaching patrols, and boundary demarcation disputes in these sanctuaries are held at the relevant DFO's office and are disclosable under RTI.

Key Legislation

The Uttarakhand Forest Department's activities are governed by several statutes that define what records it holds and what RTI questions are most effective:

• Indian Forest Act, 1927 — Defines reserved forests and protected forests; governs felling, encroachments, and forest offences. Records of encroachments and prosecutions under this Act are held at the DFO level.
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 — Governs wildlife crime, protected species, tiger reserves (Chapter IVB), and eco-sensitive zone activities. FIRs, seizure records, and prosecution records under this Act are held at range and division level.
• Forest Conservation Act, 1980 — Governs diversion of forest land for non-forest use; CAMPA compensatory afforestation obligations arise from approvals granted under this Act.
• Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA 2006) — Governs forest rights claims, including Van Gujjar claims; the Forest Department is a stakeholder (not the decision-maker) in the three-tier adjudication process.
• Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 — Establishes CAMPA and the legal framework for fund utilisation; RTI questions on CAMPA draw on utilisation records required under this Act.
• Environment Protection Act, 1986 — Governs eco-sensitive zones; ESZ notification, compliance monitoring, and enforcement records are disclosable under RTI.
• Uttarakhand Panchayati Forest Rules, 2005 — Governs Van Panchayats; income/expenditure accounts, audit reports, and DFO inspection reports are maintained under these rules and are disclosable under RTI.

How to File RTI with the Uttarakhand Forest Department

Step 1: Identify the Correct Authority

• Division-level records (encroachments, Van Panchayat audit records, FRA objections, beat patrol records, plantation and CAMPA reports): CPIO at the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the relevant forest division.
• Tiger reserve or national park records (wildlife census, eco-tourism revenue, wildlife crime FIRs, ESZ compliance for park perimeter): CPIO at the Field Director of the relevant reserve (Jim Corbett, Rajaji, Nanda Devi, Valley of Flowers, etc.).
• State-level CAMPA, policy, and aggregate data: CPIO at the Office of the PCCF, Van Bhawan, Dehradun – 248001.
• NTCA/MoEFCC data (national tiger estimation methodology, central CAMPA allocation, national park notifications by Central Government): These are Central Government bodies — file at rtionline.gov.in selecting the Central Government option; second appeal for these goes to CIC, not UIC.

Step 2: File the Application

Since Uttarakhand does not maintain a dedicated state-level RTI portal for all departments, RTI applications addressed to Uttarakhand state government bodies may be filed:

• Online via rtionline.gov.in — selecting Uttarakhand state government and then the Forest Department. The portal generates an acknowledgement and registration number.
• By Speed Post directly addressed to the CPIO at the relevant DFO's office, Field Director's office, or PCCF's office, with the ₹10 fee enclosed as an Indian Postal Order (IPO) made payable to the Accounts Officer of the receiving office.

Keep all receipts and acknowledgements — they establish the 30-day deadline and are needed for any First Appeal.

Step 3: Be Specific — Name the Division, Reserve, Beat, and Time Period

Vague requests invite aggregate, uninformative responses. Specific requests are far more effective: name the forest division or beat, specify the financial year or calendar period, reference the specific FIR number or FRA claim number or Van Panchayat name where applicable. For Van Gujjar FRA queries, include the village name, tehsil, district, and claimant name if known.

Step 4: Pay the ₹10 Fee

The prescribed application fee is ₹10 under the Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. Applicants holding a valid BPL (Below Poverty Line) card are fully exempt from this fee under Section 7(5) of the RTI Act — attach a self-attested copy of the BPL card. Van Gujjar families and Van Panchayat members who hold BPL cards may claim this exemption.

RTI Act Section References

• Section 2(h) — The Uttarakhand Forest Department, including the PCCF, all DFOs, and Field Directors, are "public authorities" under the RTI Act.
• Section 6 — The provision under which an RTI application is filed; no reason or justification needs to be stated.
• Section 7(1) — The CPIO must provide information within 30 days of receipt of the application.
• Section 7(1) proviso — Where information relates to the life or liberty of a person, it must be provided within 48 hours.
• Section 7(5) — BPL cardholders are exempt from the application fee and from fees for inspection of records.
• Fee: ₹10 under the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005.

First Appeal — Section 19(1)

If the CPIO does not respond within 30 days, or the response is incomplete, evasive, or incorrect, file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act within 30 days of the date of the decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable.

The First Appellate Authority for a DFO-level CPIO is typically the Conservator of Forests (CF) of the relevant territorial or wildlife circle. For Field Director-level CPIOs, the FAA is a designated senior officer in the same reserve's hierarchy. The CPIO's response must include the FAA's name and address; if it does not, the omission itself can be raised in the First Appeal.

Attach to the First Appeal: a copy of the original application with proof of submission, the CPIO's response if received, and a concise explanation of what information was withheld or why the response is inadequate.

Second Appeal to the Uttarakhand Information Commission — Section 19(3)

If the First Appeal does not produce a satisfactory outcome, file a Second Appeal under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act with the Uttarakhand Information Commission (UIC), within 90 days of the FAA's order or the expiry of the FAA's response period.

The Uttarakhand Forest Department is a state government department — a state public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act. Second appeals against all Uttarakhand state public authorities, including the Forest Department in all its offices, must be filed before the Uttarakhand Information Commission (UIC). The Central Information Commission (CIC) has no jurisdiction over any Uttarakhand state government body, including the PCCF's office, any DFO's office, or any Field Director's office in Uttarakhand. A second appeal sent to CIC for an Uttarakhand Forest Department matter will be dismissed or returned without a hearing.

Exception: if the RTI application was filed with a Central Government body (NTCA, MoEFCC, National Tiger Conservation Authority) — not the Uttarakhand Forest Department — the second appeal for that application goes to CIC, not UIC. It is important to distinguish which body you filed with.

Penalty for Non-Compliance — Section 20

If UIC finds that a CPIO failed to comply with the RTI Act without reasonable cause — by not responding within the statutory period, providing false or misleading information, or wilfully obstructing the supply of information — it can impose a penalty of ₹250 per day on the CPIO personally, up to a maximum of ₹25,000. UIC can also recommend disciplinary action under the applicable state service rules.

Practical Tips

1. For Van Panchayat queries, ask for the Van Panchayat inspection register and the DFO's annual inspection report, not just summary income statements. The inspection register is the primary accountability document; it contains the DFO's on-ground observations about whether the Van Panchayat is managing its forest properly, recording revenue accurately, and maintaining required records.
2. For Van Gujjar FRA claims, file simultaneously with the DFO's office (for Forest Department objections) and the District Collector's DLC (for the DLC final order and the Gram Sabha FRC recommendation). The Forest Department holds only its own objections; the DLC holds the complete claim file and the final order. Filing with both provides a complete picture.
3. For CAMPA fund utilisation, always ask for the survival rate assessment report. This is the key performance document; CAMPA guidelines require annual assessments of plantation survival rates. A division showing large CAMPA expenditure with no survival rate report is a significant red flag indicating the funds may have been spent without producing effective afforestation.
4. For Corbett and Rajaji eco-sensitive zone compliance, file RTI with both the DFO and the District Magistrate/Collector. The Forest Department holds records of violations on forest land and within the reserve perimeter; the District Magistrate holds compliance reports submitted to courts and the NGT, and orders regarding revenue land violations within the ESZ. Both sets of documents are needed for a complete picture.
5. For wildlife crime FIRs, specify the section of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 under which the FIR was registered, if known. Offences involving tigers, elephants, and other Schedule I species are registered primarily under Section 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act; specifying this helps the CPIO retrieve the correct document quickly.
6. Distinguish Corbett NP / Rajaji TR (Uttarakhand Forest Department, state body) from NTCA and MoEFCC (Central Government). For tiger census methodology, Project Tiger scheme guidelines, or NTCA directives, file a separate RTI with NTCA via rtionline.gov.in — those are Central Government records not held by the Uttarakhand Forest Department, and the second appeal for those goes to CIC, not UIC.
7. Claim the BPL fee exemption if eligible. Van Gujjar families and hill village residents who hold BPL cards owe no application fee and cannot be charged for record inspection under Section 7(5) of the RTI Act.