Act against illegal resorts and homestays in tiger reserves: Ramalinga Reddy

Environment Minister Ramalinga Reddy has directed forest officials to take immediate action against all illegally established resorts and homestays in the Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) and buffer zone of various tiger reserves and protected areas.

Mr. Reddy, who chaired a meeting of the Standing Committee of the State Board for Wildlife, sought details on the number of resorts, homestays and other commercial activities in the ESZ and buffer zone after the ESZ was notified for various tiger reserves and protected areas.

Silent zones

He also directed that there should be minimal disturbance in ESZ areas and that they should be declared as silent zones.

He also sought preparation for Zonal Master Plans to create awareness among people on the dos and don’ts in ESZ areas.

At the meeting, a proposal for the establishment of an eco resort on private land falling within the buffer zone of Bhadra Tiger Reserve was placed which was deferred.

No quarrying

Also, a proposal for allowing quarrying activities in the ESZ of Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary in Gadag was rejected.

The proposals for electrification BSNL saturation towers, OFC cables and a small connecting bridge were approved for recommendation to the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC NBWL).

At the meeting, it was also decided to submit a proposal to the SC NBWL for rationalisation of the boundary of the Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary where the boundary was not properly demarcated while notifying it.

The Standing Committee of the State Board for Wildlife also decided not to alter the ESZ of the Bannerughatta National Park.

Opinion to Union govt.

“With regard to the ESZ re-notification for Bannerughatta National Park it was decided to submit an opinion to the Union government that since all the elephant corridors are already part of the ESZ and the ESZ has been notified after due deliberations the same may be continued, without any modification,” said a statement from the Minister.

It was also decided to review the existing buffer zone notifications for the tiger reserves through a Technical Committee and discuss whether any rationalisation of the existing buffer zones is required.