BENGALURU: In a victory for wildlife and its remaining habitat, the Belagavi district authorities have demolished Soutira Resort, a commercial tourist venture that had been operating without forest, wildlife or environmental clearances near Chikale village in Khanapur taluk of the district.
The resort structure was demolished on December 27 after many notices were sent by the forest department to revenue authorities as it was located within the eco-sensitive zone of the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary sans any permission.
On November 26, Express had reported that despite a series of notices sent by the state forest department, the district authorities had failed to take action.
Belagavi DCF Basvaraj Patil told Express, “The resort structure was demolished three days ago by revenue authorities. It was our duty and we have done it as Soutira Resort was functioning in the guise of a home-stay.
Hoping such commercial projects sans permission do not come up in the future, the DCF added, “There is lot of pressure from development activities. In the interest of wildlife and its habitat, action has been taken. The message has to reach the public that they cannot take up projects without permission in such zones or habitats and cannot try to circumvent existing laws.”
It may be recalled that Soutira Mini-Water Park and Resort (functioning since 2015) was located within the Kanakumbi Territorial Range of Belagavi Forest Division, which is part of the proposed eco-sensitive zone of Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary.
The resort is surrounded by pristine forests which are an important habitat for tigers and other species. The resort area is a link between this sanctuary and protected areas of Goa and is also a part of a larger tiger landscape.