The Hindu : Govt. to promote `eco-tourism'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 08, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

Govt. to promote `eco-tourism'

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE June 7. Do amusement parks, drive-in theatres and hotels come under "eco tourism?" the Minister for Tourism and Haj, R. Roshan Baig, believes they do, when located outside a protected national park.

On Friday, he told presspersons and members of the tourism industry here that the Tourism Department was acquiring 200 acres outside the Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) to create the above-mentioned infrastructure.

This was part of a Rs. 100-crore Bannerghatta Night Safari "international-scale" project involving the Government of India, the State Government, and a "few private institutions."

A team from Singapore had already visited BNP to see how feasible it would be to have a "night safari" similar to one at the Singapore Park. "They have given us the feasibility report. In two years, all this will happen," Mr. Baig said.

When he was asked whether an environmental impact assessment was being done, Mr. Baig said that the Singapore team would do that. But how did amusement parks and theatres come under "eco-tourism?"

"It is not inside BNP so it will not affect the animals," the minister said. It may be noted here that outside BNP, there is already a small, derelict amusement park, and numerous eateries.

Earlier, Mr. Baig launched the Government-owned Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JL&R) Bannerghatta Nature Camp inside the BNP.

The eight-acre camp upgraded by JL&R has eight Swiss tents (Rs. 1,000 per head a night), a backpackers' dormitory (Rs. 500 per head a night), students' tents, and a treetop "macchan." A company release said that campers could go on the BNP lion and tiger safaris and see the Bannerghatta Zoo.

The JL&R release said: "With the Forest authorities' permission, campers can even go see the Bannerghatta rehabilitation centre for rescued circus animals." That, however, is against Government of India's policy. The rescue shelters, set up through Central Zoo Authority funds, are not open to the general public. And when Mr. Baig was questioned on this, he said: "I refuse to talk about it." He only wanted visitors to have a "wild night" at Bannerghatta.

Mr. Baig said that the Roerich Estate on Kanakpura Road was also being considered for "eco-tourism." Asked about the dispute regarding the land, he replied that the Law Department was "looking into it."

"We also plan to have water sports at Bellendur Lake (behind the airport)," he added.

Those wanting to stay at the JL&R BNP camp can call 558 3276/6154/559 7944 or access junglelodges@vsnl.com.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Presiding Officers' meet from June 19

Grahak Shakti protests against advertisement

Has the anti-drunken driving effort achieved the aim?

Govt. to promote `eco-tourism'

Young `ambassadors' for conservation