ADVENTURE & WILDLIFE
Priyank Kharge: See even just answering the previous question, the Department. of forests is trying to bring up solar powered based fences, elephant proof trenches are there, deployment of anti depredation camps in areas of these conflicts. We are trying to strike a balance between both the wildlife vertical as well as human part of it. The farmers also lose a lot of crop because of the intervention of the elephants and animals everywhere. It’ s a very delicate balance to strive for because of the nature of the problem. So we are trying our best. I think the department of forests, as well as the department of tourism have handled it pretty well.
A & W: Sir, What are the programs you have envisaged for the development of communities in the forests?
Priyank Kharge: So development of communities in the forest place is top priority for us. We have setup these eco development committees, and we have village forest communities which have been formed in almost all villages. And they support the department in conservation and the government also takes up eco development communities in these villages to solicit the support of the locals as well as we ensure that the natural vegetation does not die down. So we have water conservation activities, afforestation, development of community centers, schools, creation of employment generation activities within the forest department. We employ forest guards, we employ them as probably tourist guides. I think we are one of the few governments to supply LPG so that they don’ t cut fire woods in the forest areas. Of course the solar initiatives also are our high agenda.
A & W: Will you allow private lodge operators close to the parks to engage in community tourism activities, so that the communities develop? Would you be taking their help?
Priyank Kharge: Yes, I mean, we don’ t mind doing the PPP, it’ s the part of our council. And if you are able to ensure that the ulterior motive is not more of capitalistic centric one. Because these are all very eco sensitive zones. It’ s just that we have to protect the flora and fauna. So if the private partner intention is right and if they have long term vision on community engagement, as well as preservation and conservation of wildlife and flora and fauna. Then we don’ t have any problem with that.
A & W: Yeah. Like in Uttarakhand. There are a lot of these resorts who take tourists for these community activities, which is very very popular.
Priyank Kharge: Even in Chamarajnagar we engage the Soliga tribe, and also there are the Jenu kurubas, who traditionally practice honey collection from the forest. And they are all very backward. Now we are also giving skill development to them and the PPP model also helps them for employment. So like I said if the intention is right, our policy allows it to do that. We are not shying away from that fact.
A & W: And recently we saw a lot of reports in media about home-stays and streamlining them. See I also run a popular wildlife resort, the issues we have is we are not big, we cannot have a huge setup. So normally it is 4:5 and we are popular and part of Tour operators for Tigers, certified and audited as an eco friendly resort. And what these people are facing is the licensing. They don’ t know where to go, they are paying the panchayat. So they think that is the licensing. But suddenly the police asks for some other license. So they are all facing problems and I agree that there are some issues with non standard activities happening. But I think 95:98 % are doing excellent work. So how do you intend to streamline that?
Priyank Kharge: I might differ with the percentage that is doing the good work. But point taken. And In the last two months what we have done is that I have simplified the registration process I have made two things.
Number One- I have made registration of home-stays compulsory. They initially had to pay a fees of Rs. 10,000 which I have reduced to Rs. 500. And like you said that there was a misconception that you need to go to the panchayat for everything. So a step by step approach has been detailed out in our website and all they need to do is self certify and upload everything. So until and unless the DC or the SP gives them the go ahead it is deemed approved. And we come back to them within a month saying that these are the certificates that are needed.
“ We do not allow any unauthorized trekking routes, unauthorized trekking camps, night safaris, or adventure sports to be run without license. So we try to regulate them. The idea is not to have a complete license-raj over there. But the idea is that they just need to come forward to take these licenses.”
Vol 1 | Issue 5-6 | Nov 16- Jan 17 21