No new resorts in eco-sensitive zones

BANGALORE: The Forest Department has decided not to allow new private resorts in the existing and proposed eco-sensitive zones in all wildlife parks and sanctuaries across the state. Even Jungle Lodges and Resort, a government owned body, has been asked not to set up a new resort or to expand the existing ones. This decision, according to Mr B K Singh, principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife), has been taken to check disturbances being caused to wildlife inside protected forests. Mushrooming of private resorts means attracting more crowd thus disturbing wildlife. “The impact on wild animals is very great due to movement of human beings inside forest areas,” he said. Taking all these factors into consideration, the department has decided not to give a ‘No Objection Certificate’ to any request that comes from the Revenue Department for setting up private resorts in eco-sensitive zones of all wildlife parks and sanctuaries in the state.  He admitted that the presence of private resorts is always a disturbance to wildlife. At the same time the Forest Department did not have the authority to stop upcoming resorts outside the eco-sensitive zone. Ultimately, the people should take a call and firmly say ‘No’ to new private resorts if they are interested in the protection of flora and fauna. The rules were not stringent in the past because of which a number of private resorts came up in the eco-sensitive zones. Now, with the SC taking a personal interest in the protection of the flora and fauna across the country, new rules are framed to check mushrooming of resorts inside forests. Usually, the proposal comes from the Revenue Department whenever it receives applications seeking permission to set up resorts in or near forests. However, now, the Forest Department will not issue an ‘NOC’ to any resort. This measure will go a long way in protecting wildlife from disturbances.Thanks to the SC’s intervention, now the department has banned private vehicles inside forests as part of ‘safari’. Those visitors to resorts and jungle lodges have to travel in Forest Department vehicles in Bandipur and Nagarhole National parks. This has reduced disturbances to wild animals to a great extent, opined Mr Singh.