NEW DELHI: It will be a much-needed break from the courtroom drama. Over 50 judges will travel to the Jim Corbett National Park next week to de-stress in its sylvan surroundings. An early morning tiger safari is also part of the itinerary. The three-day retreat, starting from October 9, is intended as a getaway from the monotony of their hectic work schedules.
The ‘environmental retreat’ is being arranged by the Delhi Judicial Academy, which operates under the jurisdiction of Delhi High Court. A course coordinators, said, “Such trips are essential for the personality development of new judges and would also act as a stress buster for them. They will get to interact with each other, which otherwise is not possible for them during their busy and tiring routines.”
He added that 50 to 55 officers of the Delhi Judicial Service and the Delhi Higher Judicial Service would be at the Jim Corbett National Park, named after the legendary hunter-turned-conservationist, spread over 520 sq km. It is considered to have the highest density of 20 tigers per 100 sq km. During the last count, 340 tigers were spotted in Uttarakhand with the maximum in Corbett.
The judges will also visit the Corbett Museum, the Garija Temple as well as attend a talk on wildlife and other environment-related issues. The judges will be travelling either by luxury buses which will be accompanied by two SUVs as well, according to the itinerary.
“We have made adequate arrangements for the stay of the judges and have booked three-star hotels for them,” the official said, adding that both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food would be served during the tour.
The academy has planned similar trips for the judges in batches to other states, including Ranthambore in Rajasthan and places in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The academy has planned four such retreats for judges every year.
“We have taken due care in fixing the dates for the retreats and have avoided months during which school examinations and/or festivals take place. We have also planned the trips on second Saturdays (when courts are closed) and Sundays so that judicial work does not get hampered,” the official said.
The academy plans to take feedback from the judges after every retreat and share their experiences with the higher judiciary. It would also seek suggestions from the lawyers on places where they would want to visit next.