Bihar Plans Large Tourism Project Inside Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary

Bihar is pushing ahead with a major commercial tourism project inside the Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary, just weeks after dropping a highway widening plan in the same area. The Bihar Eco Tourism Development Society, operating under the state Forest Department, has floated a tender to build extensive facilities across 12.9 acres of the protected region with an estimated investment of 62.87 crore rupees.

Project Details

The proposed development spans four distinct sites within the sanctuary located in the Kharagpur Hills. The plan features a helipad, 104 guest cottages, 12 tree-houses, a restaurant, a cafe, a spa, viewing decks, shops, and banquet facilities with buildings potentially rising to two or three storeys. Assigned activities range from nature trails and waterfalls to wellness centers, farming experiences, and a safari.

Rules And Clearances

Legal restrictions severely limit construction inside protected wildlife zones. The Wild Life Protection Act mandates prior approval from the National Board for Wildlife for commercial tourist lodges, and the Supreme Court issued a specific order in February 2023 restraining authorities from building inside sanctuaries until further notice. Project director and chief conservator of forests Nesamani K stated that the department will wait for required papers where permissions are necessary, while noting the land belongs to the tourism and other government departments. The tender also includes mixed instructions regarding who bears responsibility for securing environmental permits.

Context

Wildlife sanctuaries are legally protected areas designed to safeguard natural habitats and native animal species from commercial disruption and human encroachment. Major construction projects in these zones typically face strict regulatory scrutiny to prevent environmental damage and protect resident wildlife populations.