Depletion of Forest in the name of Eco-Tourism Projects

 Intent of Location of Eco-Tourism Projects in RF

 

The A P State Govt. designated, AP Forest Development Corporation Ltd (APFDC) as its nodal agency for implementation of Eco-Tourism projects, namely a)Botanical Gardens, b)Night Safari & Eco-Parks and c)Bird Park in Kothaguda Reserve Forest (RF) Area, under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. The MOEF, GOI, vide Letter dated 23-03-2006, accorded approval for diversion of 110.87Ha of Forest Land, for development of Eco-Tourism projects in Kothaguda RF in RR District, in favour of APFDC, stipulating certain conditions.

 

The selection of Kothaguda RF Area for development of eco-tourism projects, amidst fast developing locality, adjoining High-Tech City, appears to be motivated by the real estate value of the land. The Eco-Tourism Management Plan, prepared by APFDC claims that the project is aimed to counter the shrinkage of natural vegetation, water bodies etc and the emerging concrete jungle in Mega City of Hyderabad. But judging by the happenings so far, the project may actually end up contributing to what are supposed to be countered.

 

Misuse of Forest Land for Real Estate/ Commercial Structures

 

 The main intention of the developers of the so called Eco-Tourism projects appears  to make use of the Forest Land, in prime area, strategically located amidst fast developing locality adjoining High-tech city, for non forestry activities and real-estate purposes in the years to come. As per the information available, the particulars of constructions likely to come up in Eco –Tourism projects are furnished below:

 

a)Botanical Gardens

 

 The Built up area of the following Buildings to come up in Botanical Garden is reported to be 1,59,063 Sq. Mtrs

 

i)             Hospitality Block consisting of 18 Cottages (Type 1,2 & 3)

Ii)       Convention Center with Hotel

iii)           Retail sector consisting of 2 Office Blocks

iv)            Merchandise and Multiplex Theaters consisting of 8 Screens.

v)            Nursery Super Market

vi)           Entrance Plaza and Commercial Block

 

The height of the Building for Hotel and Convention Center is 21.46 Mtrs with Basement-1+Stilt/Ground Floor + 1 Upper Floor The height of the Building for Retail and Multiplex Occupancy is 21.41 Mtrs with Basement-1+Stilt/Ground Floor + 1 Upper Floor

The area to be utilized for Visitors Amenities, excluding Roads, Pathways etc works out to be about 15% of the total area of 51.83 Ha

 

b) Night Safari & Eco- Parks

 

The original project cost is estimated to be Rs.3000.11 Lakhs (Rs 30 Crores) and an additional cost of Rs.4461.89 Lakhs ( Rs.44.62 Crores) is proposed to be invested in phases II & III as per the Commercial Needs and depending on the future demands. The Restaurant & Snack outlets in each of the proposed 5 Eco-Park sectors, five  Blocks of Cottages (each with 50 Room facility), along with 350 seat Theater for five shows, 3 D & 4 D Theaters & Entry Plaza with Shops and Restaurants are some of the construction activities proposed in Night Safari & Eco parks The area to be utilized for Visitors Amenities, excluding Green belts, works out to be about 15% of the total area of 45.61 Ha

 

c) Bird Park

 

The Built up area of Multiplex with 4 Screens and Hotel Block consisting of Basement-1+ Ground+ 1 Upper Floor with Mezzanine   to come up in Bird Park is reported to be 56,072 Sq. Mtrs. The area to be utilized for Visitors Amenities, excluding landscaping etc works out to be more than 25% of the total area of 12.43 Ha

 

Public Apprehensions about Eco Tourism Projects

 

 The so called Eco-Tourism projects, if allowed to be implemented in the present form, will result in creation of permanent structures in the form of Hotels, Convention Centers, Multiplexes, Shopping Malls, Commercial Complexes Restaurants, Parking Lots etc, in more than 15 % of the total area of the project,, leading to irreversible change of Land use, against the basic principle of Eco-Tourism for which the Forest Land of 110.87 Ha was diverted.

 

 The Kothaguda Forest Land, one of the very few large green belts in Hyderabad City, should not be diverted for the so called Eco-Tourism projects, with the hidden objective of using it for non forestry purposes namely Real Estate and Commercial Purposes with the sole object of benefiting the developers.

 

Going by the bitter experience of the so called Eco-Tourism projects around Hussein Sagar, resulting in heavy commercial activities, leading to shrinkage of Water body, Water Pollution due to commercial activities and Air pollution from heavy vehicular traffic in the area Eco -Tourism Projects, in Kothaguda RF Area will be no different.

 

 Judging by the proposed massive investments by the developers and their intent, to make use of the Forest Land, in prime area, strategically located amidst fast developing locality adjoining High-tech city, for non forestry activities and real estate purposes, it is bound to be misused for their own benefit & not for improvement  of environment and Public good.,

 

 From the changes that had taken place to the original proposal during the last 7 years, and in the absence of effective and adequate monitoring and supervisory mechanism both at Central and State levels and , the utter  lack of accountability at various levels , the Public  is very apprehensive about the so called Eco-Tourism projects.

 

Conclusion

  

 As the so called Eco Tourism Projects in Kothaguda RF area, have the same potential of "ADARSH"' Land Scam in Mumbai, and "LAVASA" near Pune, immediate action needs to be initiated to stop and abandon the so called Eco-Tourism projects in Kothaguda Forest Block, strategically located providing the Lung-Space, in prime area amidst fast developing locality adjoining High-tech city of Hyderabad  

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________