The petitioner D V Girish, a resident of Chikmagalur, had stated that the resort coming up at Arashinakuppe in Chikmagalur district is within the peripheral area of Bhadra Tiger Reserve.
The DC had granted the land on lease for Rs 1,000 per acre per annum for a period of 30 years, which according to Ministry of Environment and Forests is a forest patch.
“Even if they claim there is no forest, it has the nature of a forest and as per Supreme Court order is a deemed forest,” said Anu Chengappa, counsel for petitioners.
However, the counsel for the respondents, citing examples, stated that there are several resorts functioning in the vicinity of the forests including the government resorts.
He further submitted that the petitioner has adopted the pick and choose method in his approach by filing a petition. He also submitted that he would abide by the condition that there would be no felling of trees in the natural forests.
Published 15 March 2011, 17:02 IST