'Eco-tourism' in Bastar under lens

Centre asks C’garh to probe alleged violations of Forest Conservation Act in Green Cave area

- EJAZ KAISER @ Raipur

THE Centre has directed the Chhattisgarh government to examine allegations of illegal ecotourism projects involving permanent constructions within the ecologically fragile Kanger Valley National Park in Bastar, south Chhattisgarh.

The intervention by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), sparked by a complaint from advocate Byas Muni Dwivedi, centres on the unauthorised constructions of a ‘welcome gate’ and ‘cement staircases’ under the guise of ecotourism development inside the sensitive Green Cave in Kutumsar area. The constructions allegedly bypass the Forest Conservation Act (FCA), 1980.

Under the Centre’s guidelines, permanent masonry in protected national parks is strictly prohibited without clearance by the environment ministry. In his submission the complainant said, “A budget of ₹48.45 lakh for the permanent constructions was approved by the PCCF (wildlife) and released in two instalments.”