No using stream water for resorts: Deputy commissioner

CHIKMAGALUR: Stringent measures have been initiated by deputy commissioner D K Rangaswamy, to stem the chaotic growth of resorts and homestays in the interest of protecting the fragile ecosystem of Bababudan hill ranges, a part of Western Ghats, in the district.
Ragaswamy has asked village panchayats to withdraw permission, issued to the resorts, to use water from natural streams meant for domestic purpose of villagers.
He has also directed the tahsildar to write to the CEO of the zilla panchayat to take action against the resorts, who have established it without permission from the statutory bodies, and to make it mandatory for all to obtain forest clearance for the establishment of resorts in the district even for land conversion.
These directions and measures were discussed at a meeting conducted by the DC along with revenue, forest, pollution board and environmental groups in the backdrop of a large number of resorts coming up in the Bababudan hill ranges and applications for alienation to convert agricultural land.
Green groups have raised an alarm and are apprehensive that the establishment of such resorts will damage the surrounding environment. The move will be detrimental to water sources, which are feeders for Bhadra river, and will also create scarcity of water for the villages..
Environmental activists also felt the construction of buildings in the hilly area, abundant with unique shoal forest, will obstruct dispersal and migration of wild animals and result in enhanced human-animal conflict.
It was evident from the records, available in various offices, that homestays, which were once in few in number, have now risen to 68 and still 15 applications are awaiting permission.
Already in 12 cases, land conversion has been given to construct resort and among the applicants nine were from outside the district. Considering these aspects, Rangaswamy has taken a stand to impose more rigorous condition to save the hill range from becoming a concrete forest and to maintain its pristine beauty.