Mushrooming hotels put tiger reserve under pressure

Rachna Singh, TNN | Jan 15, 2012, 04.12AM IST JAIPUR: The tiger town of Sawai Madhopur is now faced with a problem of plenty. In the past few years, the place has seen quick proliferation of hotels, lodges and rented accommodations, all catering to the tiger safari in the reserve. The tourism ministry now feels that it is hampering the core issue of 'tiger conservation.' Now since the district administration has toughened its stand on granting no objection certificates (NOC) to hotels and the state Lokayukta is investigating the number of hotels which have been granted permission within the 500-metre park periphery, those planning investment in the hospitality industry here might be in for some shock. "Tigers are our national beauties. But lack of eco-friendly practices and mushrooming of resorts and hotels in and around national parks in an unplanned manner is blocking the wildlife corridors," Sanjay Kothari, additional secretary, Union ministry of tourism, said. The factual situation is too alarming. The road leading to the National Park is dotted with recently completed hotels and several low budget guest houses are under construction. "In a day only 1,040 tourists can go into the park at a time and there are already 2,000 rooms available. Another 2,000 rooms that are in various stages of construction are going to put immense pressure on the park," said Giriraj Singh Kushwaha, district collector. Recently, Kushwaha has also written to chief secretary S Ahmed requesting that the government give no more NOCs for any hotel project in S Madhopur. Some land conversions were allowed in the 500-metre periphery of the park for which two sub-divisional officers have been chargesheeted and the district administration has been asked to undo the wrong, sources said. There are some high-profile individuals and politicians who have been given 90B permission without the forest officials' consent. "We won't be able to increase the number of vehicles that go into the park at a time beyond 20 gypsies and 20 canters, i.e., 520 tourists. Upcoming hotels are outside the 500 metre limit. But of course this is going to create competition among the hotels," said a forest official. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Mushrooming-hotels-put-tiger-reserve-under-pressure/articleshow/11493549.cms