India
Bihar tenders tourism build inside Bhimbandh sanctuary
The Indian Express·
Bihar tendered tourism on 12.9 acres inside Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary despite a 2023 Supreme Court bar on new construction. An October 16 plan lists 104 cottages, 12 tree-houses and a helipad on a ₹62.87 crore BETDS concession. A September MoU for highway clearance was cancelled. BETDS said work may start on 6.3 tourism acres and 6.6 government acres pending approvals.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Visitors could see new cottages and decks only where BETDS secures clearances; other plots may wait on National Board for Wildlife approval.
- Developers bidding by November 30 must reconcile who pays for forest and wildlife permits under conflicting tender clauses.
- Sanctuary residents retain existing rights but cannot assume unrestricted construction inside notified boundaries.
What's Happening
- The tender assigns Bhimbandh to hospitality, Belatand to adventure, Chormara to wellness and Bhatta Kol to safari trails.
- Buildings may rise two or three storeys under the forest department plan.
- The sanctuary spans about 682 sq km across Munger, Jamui and Lakhisarai in the Kharagpur Hills.
Wild Life Act lodge rules
- Commercial tourist lodges inside sanctuaries need National Board for Wildlife approval under the Wild Life (Protection) Act.
- The Supreme Court paused construction in sanctuaries in February 2023 pending further orders.
- BETDS sits under the state Forest Department and issued the October 16 tender.
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