Cicada tourism project gets the nod

Wilderness Resorts Pvt Ltd, an eco-tourism company, has received an approval from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), New Delhi, to set up a resort at Kanniyanpura outside the Bandipur National Park. The CEC was established under the orders of the Supreme Court of India to look at Forest, Wildlife and Conservation issues.

The proposed resort project is part of the chain of eco-tourism resorts being set up by T G Ramesh, under the brand name 'Cicada' across Karnataka.

The CEC cleared the project and refused to halt it after hearing a complaint against the project filed by Belinda Wright, Wildlife Protection Society of India, and Suparna Baksi Ganguly, Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, Bangalore. The complainant had alleged that the proposed resort was a threat to the elephant movement in that area and could cause various other disturbances.

The CEC observed that the resort was coming up on land outside the forest and so it would not permit the unfair targeting of one resort in an area where other resorts and agriculturists operate.

The CEC also conducted a site visit in December 2006 along with the Karnataka forest department officials.

The CEC stated that it would evolve non-binding suggestions to the state governments and Union Ministry of Environment and Forests in the larger interests of conservation and eco-tourism for such resorts in the country.

Commenting on the verdict, Ramesh said, "The CEC's verdict is a vindication of our belief in promoting responsible eco-tourism. It is the only way to ease pressure on protected areas by involving local communities and ensuring their economic development."

The project has received investments from PM Ventures (promoted by Phaneesh Murthy), H R B Group and other entrepreneurs.