Mrudul Godbole
19-07-2010, 09:04 PM
Lodge on hold, tiger haven safe for now
TNN, Jul 12, 2010, 04.05am IST
KOLKATA: Construction of the new tourist lodge at Sajnekhali in the Sunderbans has been stalled under instructions from the forest department after a TOI report highlighted how the structure would flout a number of environment and forest department norms.
Being built by the state tourism department inside the forest office complex, the two-storey, upcoming structure stands within ten feet of a sweet water pond frequented by wild animals, including tigers and experts fear it could endanger both animals and tourists.
A site survey was conducted by senior forest officials led by Sunderban Tiger Reserve (STR) director Subrat Mukherjee and a report is expected next week. On Friday, ToI had reported how the structure — claimed by the tourism department to be just an extension of the existing lodge — threatens to disrupt the movement of animals and the ecological stability of the mangrove forest.
"Our officials are now conducting a survey to check if there has been a violation of the rules. In case any breach of law is detected we will take corrective measures immediately," said Pradip Vyas, director, Sundarban Biosphere Reserve. Asked if the new structure could be demolished, Vyas said a decision will be taken on the basis of the report.
Environment activists and NGOs working in the forest hailed the decision. It would have been a disaster if the lodge was constructed in the heart of tiger territory, they said. "It is inexplicable how the forest department could allow the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) to go ahead with the construction. The Sajnekhali forest complex already has a two-storey structure which is bad enough. This lodge would have spelt doom for tigers and animals in the area," said Mrinal Chatterjee of the Institute of Climbers and Nature-lovers, an NGO. In the last fortnight, two tigers had sneaked into the forest office complex.
Members of the state Wild Life Advisory Board, too, welcomed the decision to halt the construction work. They have called upon the forest and tourism departments to lay down the plan for the lodge and hold a discussion on the necessity of a lodge in the Sajnekhali forest area.
"As it is, the area is in a mess due to the multiple structures that already exist there. It is surprising how the authorities could permit a tourist lodge in the midst of a biosphere reserve that also happens to be a heritage site. The structure should be pulled down immediately," Purnima Dutta, a member.
Fellow member A K Ghosh alleged that even though several suggestions have been put forward to the forest department, none have been considered or even taken up for discussion. "They have held just one meeting in the last one year which is a joke. It makes no sense to have the advisory board if they are not going to let us function. This construction violates the rules. We were kept in the dark about it and came to know only from media reports. The forest department must lay down the plan for the construction and explain why they planned it there," said Ghosh.
Others like Chatterjee pointed out that the lodge could easily have been constructed across the river at Pakhiralaya. "There are several private lodges there and the tourism department could have built one. It is a mystery why this particular area — which is frequented by tigers — was chosen," said Chatterjee.
Objections have also been raised against the way mud and earth were scooped up for the construction work from an adjoining plot. It loosened the roots of scores of mangrove trees and left many more uprooted. "Excavation is strictly prohibited in forest areas so this is a serious violation of rules. The forest department should own up responsibility for this," said Chatterjee.
Vyas, on the other hand, said his department was not aware of the excavation. "The site has been inspected by our officers and we are waiting to hear from them. Based on their report, we shall take corrective measures," he said.
Two weeks ago, a tiger had climbed on to a mound of earth at the construction site and jumped over the fencing into the forest office complex. Last Wednesday, a tigress, that had been lurking around menacingly in the area, was trapped on the bank of the pond. Both were released elsewhere in the mangrove forest.
Experts felt the construction should have been preceded by a proper survey. "Even if we assume that the lodge was built legally and does not endanger humans and animals, a study was necessary," said P K Sen, former director, Project Tiger.
Link - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Lodge-on-hold-tiger-haven-safe-for-now/articleshow/6156957.cms
TNN, Jul 12, 2010, 04.05am IST
KOLKATA: Construction of the new tourist lodge at Sajnekhali in the Sunderbans has been stalled under instructions from the forest department after a TOI report highlighted how the structure would flout a number of environment and forest department norms.
Being built by the state tourism department inside the forest office complex, the two-storey, upcoming structure stands within ten feet of a sweet water pond frequented by wild animals, including tigers and experts fear it could endanger both animals and tourists.
A site survey was conducted by senior forest officials led by Sunderban Tiger Reserve (STR) director Subrat Mukherjee and a report is expected next week. On Friday, ToI had reported how the structure — claimed by the tourism department to be just an extension of the existing lodge — threatens to disrupt the movement of animals and the ecological stability of the mangrove forest.
"Our officials are now conducting a survey to check if there has been a violation of the rules. In case any breach of law is detected we will take corrective measures immediately," said Pradip Vyas, director, Sundarban Biosphere Reserve. Asked if the new structure could be demolished, Vyas said a decision will be taken on the basis of the report.
Environment activists and NGOs working in the forest hailed the decision. It would have been a disaster if the lodge was constructed in the heart of tiger territory, they said. "It is inexplicable how the forest department could allow the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) to go ahead with the construction. The Sajnekhali forest complex already has a two-storey structure which is bad enough. This lodge would have spelt doom for tigers and animals in the area," said Mrinal Chatterjee of the Institute of Climbers and Nature-lovers, an NGO. In the last fortnight, two tigers had sneaked into the forest office complex.
Members of the state Wild Life Advisory Board, too, welcomed the decision to halt the construction work. They have called upon the forest and tourism departments to lay down the plan for the lodge and hold a discussion on the necessity of a lodge in the Sajnekhali forest area.
"As it is, the area is in a mess due to the multiple structures that already exist there. It is surprising how the authorities could permit a tourist lodge in the midst of a biosphere reserve that also happens to be a heritage site. The structure should be pulled down immediately," Purnima Dutta, a member.
Fellow member A K Ghosh alleged that even though several suggestions have been put forward to the forest department, none have been considered or even taken up for discussion. "They have held just one meeting in the last one year which is a joke. It makes no sense to have the advisory board if they are not going to let us function. This construction violates the rules. We were kept in the dark about it and came to know only from media reports. The forest department must lay down the plan for the construction and explain why they planned it there," said Ghosh.
Others like Chatterjee pointed out that the lodge could easily have been constructed across the river at Pakhiralaya. "There are several private lodges there and the tourism department could have built one. It is a mystery why this particular area — which is frequented by tigers — was chosen," said Chatterjee.
Objections have also been raised against the way mud and earth were scooped up for the construction work from an adjoining plot. It loosened the roots of scores of mangrove trees and left many more uprooted. "Excavation is strictly prohibited in forest areas so this is a serious violation of rules. The forest department should own up responsibility for this," said Chatterjee.
Vyas, on the other hand, said his department was not aware of the excavation. "The site has been inspected by our officers and we are waiting to hear from them. Based on their report, we shall take corrective measures," he said.
Two weeks ago, a tiger had climbed on to a mound of earth at the construction site and jumped over the fencing into the forest office complex. Last Wednesday, a tigress, that had been lurking around menacingly in the area, was trapped on the bank of the pond. Both were released elsewhere in the mangrove forest.
Experts felt the construction should have been preceded by a proper survey. "Even if we assume that the lodge was built legally and does not endanger humans and animals, a study was necessary," said P K Sen, former director, Project Tiger.
Link - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Lodge-on-hold-tiger-haven-safe-for-now/articleshow/6156957.cms