HC flags alleged illegal resorts near Tipeshwar sanctuary

Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Thursday sought responses from Maharashtra govt, forest authorities, and several resort operators over allegations of resort construction and commercial activities within the eco-sensitive zone surrounding Tipeshwar wildlife sanctuary in Yavatmal.A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode issued notices while hearing a PIL filed by social worker and Yavatmal District Tribal Forum vice president Ankit Naitam through counsel Tejal Agre.The petition alleges that many resorts and agro-tourism centres have been operating inside the protected eco-sensitive zone without mandatory approvals from the district-level monitoring committee and other competent authorities, allegedly violating the Eco-Sensitive Zone notification issued on Dec 18, 2018.According to the plea, large-scale construction activities, excavation, tree felling, and tourism-related commercial operations are being carried out in the protected region, leading to environmental degradation and disturbance to wildlife movement corridors around the sanctuary.The petitioner argued that the alleged unauthorised activities could intensify human-wildlife conflict in villages adjoining the forest area. The court was also informed that communications issued by the Forest Department and notices served by police authorities acknowledged the absence of mandatory permissions for some of the constructions.The petitioner alleged that despite these observations, no substantial enforcement action was initiated against the operators concerned.During the hearing, the bench took note of the allegations and directed the respondents to file their replies. The matter is expected to be heard further after the court's summer vacation.