Gujarat govt eases construction approvals near lions’ abode

RAJKOT: A government resolution (GR) issued by the state forest department on Thursday has enabled getting permission for construction in the vicinity of protected Asiatic lion habitats easier, raising concerns among conservationists who fear rise in man-animal conflicts.
Amending the July 2015 notification regarding construction in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ), the state forest department diluted the powers of chief wildlife warden and empowered a special committee of district officials to give the no-objection certificates.
This effectively means that the permission for hotels, resorts, homestays as well as commercial and industrial activity can be got from the committee chaired by district collector and deputy conservator of forests (DCF), the district development officer (DDO) and superintendent of police (SP) as its membersThe GR was issued for areas around Gir Sanctuary, Mitiyala Sanctuaray, Gir National Park and Paniya.
According to the govt resolution of July 2015, permission for hotels, resorts, and homestays within a 2km area of sanctuaries and national parks could be granted for the construction of low-rise buildings with a maximum height of 13.5m in 5% of ESZ area after a ‘no objection' certificate to be issued by the chief wildlife warden or an officer authorized by him. No permission for other commercial or industrial activity could be granted.
In the same way, permission could be granted for 25% and 15% of ESZ areas respectively for residential and commercial purposes in a 2 to 5km radius of these sanctuaries after getting a ‘no objection certificate.' In the case of homestays, the same kind of permission was required.
Bhushan Pandya, former member of the state board for wildlife, called this amendment ‘unfortunate' and said, "This will open the floodgates for hotels and resorts near protected areas, which will block lion corridors. This will result in man-animal conflict, infighting, inbreeding and cause irreversible damage to wildlife."
Requesting anonymity, a senior forest department officer told TOI: "This GR is in violation of the MoEF guidelines which clearly state that an ESZ committee headed by forest officers and locals have to clear such proposals. However, this GR enables just four officers to give permissions for construction."
When contacted, Jaipal Singh, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), wildlife, said, "In absence of ESZ committee, this panel has been formed to give permissions for constructions." However, he said he was not aware powers of chief wildlife warden had been curtailed.