BASANT SINGH Vs. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The respondents appointed nature guides for Phato Eco Tourism Zone and Hathidagar Eco Tourism Zone falling in Tarai West, Forest Division, Ramnagar, District Nainital. The nature guides accompany the tourists, who visit those respective zones. On 15/5/2023, respondent no.2 issued a press communique by which applications were invited for registration of 20 more nature guides for Phato Eco Tourism Safari Zone, but the grievance of the petitioner began on 7/12/2024, when list of selected nature guides was published for both the Eco-Tourism Zones, namely, Phato Eco Tourism Zone and Hathidagar Eco Tourism Zone, including 154 nature guides and 50 nature guides were kept in the wait list. The grievance of the petitioner further began on 4/2/2025, when the respondent no.2 issued the guidelines to the nature guides with the directions that the nature guides may work on rotation basis. Challenge is made to the select list of 154 nature guides with 50 nature guides in the wait list, as well as the directions dtd. 4/2/2025, issued by the respondent no.2.

(2.) Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record.

(3.) Learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is a registered nature guide for Phato Eco Tourism Zone; there are various guidelines for the nature guides; round the year, they do not get enough work; three months are peak season; for three months, the eco-tourism zone remains closed, and other months are weak season. She would submit that in Phato Eco-Tourism Zone, there are 50 gypsies, which run in the morning, 50 gypsies run in the evening, 25 more nature guides are required for night and daylight safari; total 125 nature guides may be deployed in a day for three months, when it is a peak season; now, by the select list dtd. 7/12/2024, 154 more nature guides have been selected working for both the zones, and, in fact, by the subsequent order dtd. 4/2/2025, it has also been provided that the duty shall be assigned on rotation basis.