Dehradun, Aug. 3 -- Garhwal Post Bureau

DEHRADUN, 1 Aug: The continued existence of illegal mazars inside the Rajaji Tiger Reserve has raised serious questions over the protection of Government forest land and the effectiveness of enforcement by the Forest Department. The issue has assumed significance as the State government continues its drive against illegal encroachments across Uttarakhand, while several unauthorised religious structures are still reported to be standing within one of the State's most protected forest areas.

The question is when the tourists visiting the Tiger Reserve are not permitted to get down from their vehicles or walk inside the protected forest in order to safeguard wildlife and preserve the fragile ecosyste...