Hyderabad: The mega “ecotourism project” — construction of a large cantilevered glass bottomed walkway — deep inside the Amrabad tiger reserve being executed by the tourism department, appears to have turned into a bane for some of the Chenchu tribals, the traditional dwellers in the Nallamala forest that comprises the reserve.
Some tribals, who noticed that the loud noise from borewell digging rigs was driving wild animals towards their huts and rooms in Farhabad area of the forest, wanted the work to be stopped immediately but to no avail. Instead, they have been facing serious pressure from the tourism and forest department officials to lie low.
The tourism department has taken up construction of a glass-bottomed cantilevered walkway at the Farhabad View Point, deep inside the tiger reserve, to promote ecotourism. It was learnt that borewells that are about 40 deep have been dug so far at the location to lay the foundations for the walkway. The drilling rigs have since left the location and currently no work is on at the site.
It may be recalled that Deccan Chronicle reported on February 13 on the construction of the walkway, which violates Supreme Court guidelines that prohibit any new construction activity in core areas of tiger reserves in the country.
However, after pointing out that the noise from the rigs was driving wild animals towards their homes, the Chenchus had to undergo a “counselling” session by the police not to make an issue of the construction of the new “ecotourism” attraction. The police were contacted by the forest department following a complaint from the tourism department on the “nuisance” from Chenchus. “We are not allowed to even build a room for ourselves in our forest. The forest department says nothing new can be built because it is the core area of the tiger reserve, but big projects are being allowed,” a Chenchu tribal leader said.
Even the local Eco-Development Committee (EDC) comprising Chenchus, are not getting a share from the Rs 1,200 per trip safari rides in Farhabad operated by the forest department, the Chenchu leader said. As per the norms, a portion of all revenue from ecotourism activity – of which safari rides are a primary feature – are to be shared with the local EDC.
It was also learnt that the drilling rig workers spent the nights over the three days at the worksite. “Nobody is allowed to stay in the forest after 6 p.m. But in this case, the workers stayed back with no one questioning them,” a source said.
Typically, the forest department insists that anyone including the likes of wildlife researchers, have to leave the forest area by sundown. The only ones allowed to stay or enter the reserve are Chenchu tribals whose hamlets are inside the reserve.
