On Wednesday, the Supreme Court established a committee to tackle the issue of regulated car access for devotees traveling to the Pandupol Hanuman temple, situated within the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan.

A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai, Sandeep Mehta, and SVN Bhatti remarked that the sentiments of temple devotees must be balanced with the necessity of safeguarding the wildlife sanctuary.

"While protecting tiger reserve and sanctuary, the sentiments of the devotees who visit the temple should also be given due consideration. It is the concern of the trust and the devotees that immediate stopping of private vehicles will lead to depriving the thousands of devotees who come on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It is also concerning that there is a belief among devotees that Prasad has to be offered on fulfillment of prayers," the Court said.

The Court was hearing a petition filed by the Hanuman Temple Committee, requesting the relaxation of restrictions on the entry of private vehicles into the tiger reserve, allowing temple devotees to perform rituals and worship in a regulated manner.

In response, the Court formed a committee to address the issue, which will include the District Collector of Sariska, the Field Director of Project Tiger, and a member of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC). 

The committee has been entrusted with the task of finding a phased and balanced solution, taking into account both the environmental concerns and the religious sentiments of the devotees.

"Said committee shall give a hearing also to the representative of a trust and arrive at a solution in balanced and phased manner," the Court said.

The Court was hearing a suo motu writ petition registered last year regarding the Sariska tiger reserve, which is part of a batch of environmental cases under the matter In Re: TN Godavarman Thirumalpad.

In an August hearing, the Court noted that the Rajasthan government appeared to agree with many of the measures proposed by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to address concerns about the environmental and wildlife hazards posed by the large number of vehicles visiting the Pandupole Hanuman Temple. These measures included the introduction of electric shuttles for devotees, replacing the entry of private vehicles into Sariska.

Earlier, Amicus Curiae K Parameswar had also suggested the implementation of such an electric bus service for temple visitors during a hearing in April last year.

During today's hearing, the Court acknowledged that the State had agreed to adopt most of the CEC’s recommendations, though some were still pending. It also noted that the deadlines proposed by the CEC for implementing these measures were unrealistic, especially since some deadlines had already passed, and thus allowed for their extension.