Villages to be relocated but VIP guesthouse stays

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Feb 6, 2012, 01.14AM IST NAGPUR: The relocation of five villages inside Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is being expedited because the critical tiger habitats (CTHs) need to be inviolate for tigers. But in sharp contrast to this the huge VIP complex right inside Tadoba's core is being renovated instead of phasing it out. From April 1, 2008, when former PCCF (wildlife) B Majumdar banned entry for tourists and VIPs to complex, it was decided to keep bare minimum structures by phasing out remaining quarters. However, after four years, these structures stay and instead of removing them, suites have been renovated with better facilities for VIPs. At present, there are four suites in the VIP guesthouse, an 18-bedded youth hostel, two holiday homes, forest department's own colony of 15 quarters, a canteen and field director's bungalow. All structures are situated on southern shore of Tadoba lake and are major source of disturbance to wildlife. Conservationists have alleged that shifting of complex is being purposefully delayed as this complex consists support staff of VIP guesthouse that is on a hillock overlooking Tadoba lake and that VIPs and their kin want to continue enjoying exclusive privilege of staying inside a tiger reserve. Interestingly, in 1995, when Tadoba was declared a tiger reserve, basic condition of 'Project Tiger', now National Tiger Conservation Authority was to remove pucca structures. It was also mentioned in management plan of TATR. As it is, as per Wildlife Protection Act 1972 amended in 2006, a reserve has to be inviolate. "Why should the department waste public money on renovation? Officials can make a halt at Moharli. If a field director or wildlife official needs a halt, there are quarters inside. Who knows who's staying in the name of officials? Why a VIP guesthouse needed?" asks Avinash Prabhune, a RTI & consumer rights activist. On the contrary, chief wildlife warden SK Khetarpal says, "There is no proposal to shift VIP guesthouse. It has been converted into a camp office. Only officers will only be allowed to stay there. The guesthouse is not being fully renovated but petty repair works are being done." He adds that field staff stationed in Tadoba means better protection of the area. "Finally, I've left such decisions with respective field directors as they are second line of command and should build confidence," he said. CCF & TATR field director VK Sinha justifies VIP guesthouse and quarters at Tadoba saying, 'We need it for stay of recently appointed researchers. Quarters have been whitewashed as staff needs a better place for living. As per rules, the structures are not being used for tourists." Sinha further said the old canteen has been converted into range office and toilets have been repaired for tourists so that they need not relieve themselves anywhere inside the park. All said and done, demolishing the concrete structures was a long-pending demand of conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts. The decision to stop using VIP guesthouse was raised several times by conservationist Harshawardhan Dhanwatey in state wildlife board (SWB) meetings. The decision was taken accordingly by B Majumdar. Bandu Dhotre of Eco-Pro, NGO working for tiger conservation in Chandrapur says, "The focus in tiger reserves is to increase infrastructure for protection. Till date, increasing protection has been considered equivalent of increasing the infrastructure for protection." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Villages-to-be-relocated-but-VIP-guesthouse-stays/articleshow/11771346.cms