BENGALURU: With formation of ‘Private Wildlife Reserves’ on the cards in the state, forest officials, wildlife experts and activists across the state trash the government’s move and say this is basically to favour big and influential people owning lands adjoining Nugu, Nagarhole, Bandipur, Bhadra, Kali and Bhimgad protected forests. Appealing to the Chief Minister, they say the new concept has to be dropped before more damage is done.
As a concept, it may be good for Southern Africa but this will not work in India as even now, forest officials are struggling to protect PA with continuing encroachments. The Karnataka Private Conservancy Rules, 2018 will nullify the formation of ESZ zones and encourage big time tourism in the guise of private conservancy. As per the draft rules, 5% of the total area can be utilized for construction of resorts/hotels/homestays/tourism activity.
Expressing his apprehensions, former Chief Wildlife Warden says, “This will nullify the Supreme Court order on Eco-Sensitive Zones and allow big influential people to set up resorts adjoining PA. How can SC orders be bypassed, and such an important issue discussed and passed selectively?”
However, Praveen Bhargav, Trustee, Wildlife First says, “I had first mooted this idea in 2012 and presented it at a meeting chaired by the Forest Minister in 2015. In principle, this is a good idea but certain key safeguards need to be included — those owners who are in occupation of encroached lands should not be eligible; lands in revenue enclosures amid forests must be kept out; existing forest barriers must not be altered to facilitate entry of tourists into the sanctuary and diversion of water from a sanctuary for formation of water holes must be prohibited.”