Six eco-tourism projects allotted to a single private promoter — three of these a non-starter and the others operational but facing serious charges under the Forest Conservation Act violations with promoters building pucca structures by encroaching forest land — seems to be spelling trouble for the HP government as per a report in Indian Express by Ashwani Sharma.

The revenue returns to the government from a total of 10 eco-tourism sites, including a premium camping site at Shoghi — marketed as Aamod Resort — has been Rs 28.59 lakh during the last three years. The amount is quite less when compared to the damage caused to the forest. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with private promoters either has a clause empowering the government to terminate the agreement on grounds of forest law violations or the forest area allotted for eco-tourism activities. Thus, the promoters, during the last three years had enjoyed full freedom to encroach forest land, build structures, run bars and open restaurants.

In some documents, which Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has tabled in the state Assembly in response to Congress MLA Kuldeep Pathania’s question in this regard, shows Nagpur-based promoter Gaurav Jain — who was allotted a eco-tourism site at Kangra — had built pucca structures and exceeded the project area at another site in Chamba district’s Ala.

“After demarcation, the project area was restricted upto one hectare. Initially, permission was given for a tent site but later, only mud cottage was allowed on the site,” the government’s reply in the House stated. A condition in the MoU had stated that the promoter will take full environment safeguards. At another site, which has emerged as a profitable and popular venture at Shoghi during summers, the same promoter — despite having been given permission for tents — had built structures in the area belonging to the forest department.

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