Forest dept denies Cheetah death reports under RTI, cites risk to foreign relations

Forest dept denies Cheetah death reports under RTI, cites risk to foreign relations

The Indian Forest Department invoked national security exemptions to withhold post-mortem reports of deceased cheetahs from Kuno National Park. By citing potential harm to international relations, authorities refused to release data obtained under the Right to Information Act, despite appeals. This stance highlights a significant tension between state secrecy and the public’s right to access information regarding major conservation initiatives. Critics argue that withholding details about animal mortality lacks logical justification. They question how releasing records of dead animals could negatively impact diplomatic ties with partner nations providing the wildlife. The department’s failure to explain the specific mechanism of harm suggests that transparency is being sacrificed for unproven diplomatic protection rather than genuine security concerns. This case is highly relevant to open data advocates as it demonstrates the potential misuse of exemption clauses. It serves as a critical example of how governments might block accountability in environmental projects. The incident underscores the need for stricter scrutiny of privacy and security claims to ensure that public interest in ecological stewardship remains prioritized over opaque administrative practices.

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