BENGALURU: The fate of Trinity Jungle Resorts situated within the limits of the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (DWS) will now depend on the final notification of eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) for this protected area. Caught in controversies since inception, the luxury resort was constructed at Anmod village in the verdant Castlerock Range of this sanctuary.
Pressing for its opening, the resort owners have been applying for ‘no objection certificate’ from the chief wildlife warden for operation of this luxury resort which was completed in 2014.
Speaking to Express, additional PCCF (wildlife) C Jayaram said with the Centre was seeking queries two or three times, the final ESZ notification for DWS is expected in two weeks. He added, “Once notification comes, it will change everything. Giving NOC at this stage is very dicey as it involves EPA, a Central act. The matter will be resolved on the merits of the case.”
He further said, “Presently, nobody is in a position to resolve the issue. For the last 15 years, the dispute has seen many transactions, default of loans and change of owners. With the earlier owner defaulting on his loan from the Karnataka State Finance Corporation (KSFC), government institutions are showing interest in the case as they want to recover their dues.”
Earlier two inquiries conducted by the state forest department in 2015 and 2016 revealed violation of existing guidelines and central laws. As per inquiry reports, Jatoyah Investments and Holdings Ltd, Mumbai had constructed this resort with 15 suites and modern amenities at survey no. 83B in Anmod village of Uttara Kannada district. The village is an enclosure within DWS where all commercial tourism activities are regulated as per the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Further, the owner neither sought permission from authorities nor did they have any documents to prove the existence of the resort before this area was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2011, the inquiry report stated.On their part, the resort owners have once again applied for NOC in May this year and they are hopeful of getting it.
Demanding action and demolition of the resort, wildlife activists from Dandeli said, “This is not a question of change of ownership or default of loans. The present resort was constructed in 2012-14 after the notification of the sanctuary in 2011. Further, all existing land documents, permission from Gram Panchayat and electrification, etc for the resort was done between 2012 and 2014. They have in fact, violated all existing rules and guidelines, so neither permission nor NOC should be given. As it is, Castlerock Range has borne the brunt of excessive tourism activities with 6-8 resorts and homestays being part of this range.”