Five MLAs move high court against eco-tourism norms.

TNN | Sep 3, 2015, 01.32 AM IST AHMEDABAD: Five legislators from the constituencies around the Gir sanctuary have approached the Gujarat high court raising objections to the newly formed eco-tourism policy for the last abode of the Asiatic lions.

Upon the HC's directions, the state government came up with a uniform eco-tourism policy that has laid down norms for construction. Police permit construction of low-rise buildings 1-2km from the sanctuary's border. They also permit construction of non-commercial buildings for residential purpose in 2-5km periphery of the sanctuary. The permission for this has to be obtained from a committee comprising the district collector, a top forest official, DDO and SP of the district concerned.

The legislators, Jawahar Chavda from Manavadar, Babubhai Vajha from Mangrol, Harshad Ribadiya from Visavadar, Punjabhai Vaunsh from Una, and Jasha Barad from Talala, have submitted in their petition that local people have begun facing problems due to the new policy. Earlier, the residents had to obtain permission for construction of a house from the local civic body, but now they will have to approach the committee. This was unnecessary bureaucratic hurdle for the villagers, the legislators say.

All five legislators have urged the HC to allow them to join the proceedings on a suo motu PIL against encroachment in the Gir sanctuary. This case will be heard on September 10.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Five-MLAs-move-high-court-against-eco-tourism-norms/articleshow/48780798.cms