The protection of forest environment is essential to avoid human-animal conflict
BENGALURU:
In a major policy move to address the rising human-wildlife conflict, the State government has decided to regulate local authorities’ powers to grant permissions for new resorts and home stays in and around forest areas.
The decision follows growing public concern after a series of tiger attacks in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts, and criticism over unchecked commercial expansion near protected forests. In recent months, farmers’ groups and local communities have staged multiple protests against what they termed the “uncontrolled mushrooming” of private resorts and homestays near forest zones. They alleged that unregulated projects—often sanctioned without proper environmental review—led to illegal road works, bright lighting, and noise, all of which disturb wildlife and push animals into human settlements.
Responding to these concerns, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre last week announced that the government would revisit and regulate the permission process. In a new directive to the Principal Secretary of the Forest Department, he has ordered the formation of a management committee to scrutinise all new proposals for resorts and homestays near forests.
Khandre noted that several farmers’ organisations had complained about habitat disturbances due to unregulated tourism infrastructure. He stressed that forest protection and community safety must take precedence over commercial interests.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, addressing the media in Mysuru earlier this week, also acknowledged that the increase in human-animal conflicts was linked to unregulated tourism and the surge in safari trips near forest zones.
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“It has come to our notice that local authorities were granting permissions independently. Henceforth, all such proposals shall be reviewed by the newly constituted management committee, and approvals will be granted only as per the master plan approved by the panel,” Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre stated.
