Karnataka: Upcoming luxury resort a threat to Daroji sloth bear sanctuary

Ballari: Not even the ruins of the palace of the famed rulers of 14th century Vijayanagar exist today at its erstwhile capital-Hampi.

But to everyone’s surprise, a palace akin to that of the Vijayanagar rulers is being built silently amid the rocky terrain bordering the eastern block of Bilikallu Reserve Forest, 7 km away from Hampi. Based on the architectural theme of Vijayanagar empire notably Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, Orange County Hotels & Resorts is building a palace-alike ‘Hampi Theme Resort’ close to Daroji sloth bear sanctuary near the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sources said that Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority (HWHAMA) has approved the project which is said to be outside the buffer zone of the heritage site, but is close to Hampi Kannada University, the proposed Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park and Daroji sloth bear sanctuary.

Forest department sources said the Wildlife wing of the department had initially opposed this project citing that the resort falls within the 2 km zone from the boundary of Daroji sanctuary which was proposed to be declared as eco-sensitive zone and within 100 metres from the boundary of Billikallu reserve forest.

However, forest officials said that Orange County Hotels & Resorts has succeeded in securing permission from the Dharwad High Court bench to go ahead with the project to boost tourism in the world heritage site.

Armed with the court order, Orange County Hotels & Resorts is building a high-end property with nine private Pool Villas and an Ayurvedic spa similar to Hampi’s famous Lotus Mahal. Of the total 27 acres acquired for the project, the resort is coming up on 17.8 acre. This resort is guarded by mammoth compound walls like fort wall and the entrance is designed like a fort entrance. Sources said the resort project is estimated at around Rs 55 to 60 crore. However, local wildlife activists express concern over this high-end resort.

“Though, the resort is coming up in private land, it is a natural migration corridor for sloth bears, leopards and other animals for moving from western block of the Bilikallu reserve forest where Daroji sloth bear sanctuary situated to eastern block of the reserve forest. This resort and increased vehicular movement is likely to disturb the movement of shy wild animals and create human-animal conflict in the coming days”, remarked local wildlife activists.