The construction of a resort on private land adjoining the Rajaji national park has elicited focus on the need for specific regulations for such constructions considering the possible impact on the wildlife of the commercial activities in the resort.
Wildlife activists complain that allowing the resort being in Malla Bhogpur village adjoining Rajaji, to use a forest road used by villagers, will increase the risk to wildlife security and other problems. The national park director SP Subudhi said that he had sent a recommendation to the chief wildlife warden for issuing a no objection certificate to the resort if some conditions are followed.
“The resort owner bought a private land in the area and the land use for this land was converted by the sub divisional magistrate from agricultural land to non-agricultural because the construction had already started. The owner has secured clearance from various departments concerned and sought the same from us. I have recommended that an NOC be issued based on conditions which include registering the visitors using the road, restricting movement from sun set to sun rise, paying a usage fee to the department, prohibiting use of firearms by resort guests, banning loud music and preventing garbage disposal in the national park area,” said Subudhi.
However, he states that the real issue is that at present there is lack of clarity on the process to be followed to allow commercial constructions in areas adjoining the national park. “There are already resorts existing in areas adjoining the national park and units and hotels are also being set up in SIIDCUl-Haridwar and other adjoining areas. We allow tourism in Chilla range where we charge Rs 250 per vehicle and Rs 150 per person. Similar charges could also be demanded from the owner of the resort being constructed in Malla Bhogpur but these have to be fixed,” he said.
Meanwhile, local sources alleged that six metal wire snares were discovered in the Motichur range of Rajaji on Monday which is a sign of lax patrolling by the national park staff. When asked about this, Subudhi said that the Rajaji deputy director had been sent to the site and he had said that no snares had been discovered as alleged.