The state board for wildlife rejected the proposal of Wildwood Resorts Private Limited to set up a resort in Dhari after the forest gave a negative opinion on the project. The resort was in the eye of the storm after a petition was filed in the Gujarat high court by RTI activists.

During the meeting of the state board for wildlife on Monday, the forest department’s report stated that the resort would come up just 400m from the sanctuary in the Dhari area. The report also stated that it violated the norms of the eco-sensitive zone and added that construction of the resorts would affect the wildlife movements and also damage the forest.

Dinesh Sharma Principal chief of conservator of the forest said, “The board also has taken a decision not to recommend the resort as it was just 400m from the sanctuary”. A senior official said once the state board for wildlife recommends a proposal, it is sent to the National Board for wildlife clearance, but in this case, the proposal has been set aside.

Wild Life Resorts Private Limited is a company linked to Former Chief Minister Anandiben Patel’s daughter Anar Patel and her business associates. Anar clarified on Facebook that she is neither a director nor a shareholder in the company.

A petitioner in the Gujarat High Court had alleged that the state government had favoured former CM daughter’s Anar Patel, by allotting her company land within 1 km of the Gir lion Sanctuary at a concessional rate, to build a resort. It was alleged that the resort had got permission while others had been denied it in the past.

The state board for wildlife rejected the proposal of Wildwood Resorts Private Limited to set up a resort in Dhari after the forest gave a negative opinion on the project. The resort was in the eye of the storm after a petition was filed in the Gujarat high court by RTI activists.

During the meeting of the state board for wildlife on Monday, the forest department’s report stated that the resort would come up just 400m from the sanctuary in the Dhari area. The report also stated that it violated the norms of the eco-sensitive zone and added that construction of the resorts would affect the wildlife movements and also damage the forest.

Dinesh Sharma Principal chief of conservator of the forest said, “The board also has taken a decision not to recommend the resort as it was just 400m from the sanctuary”. A senior official said once the state board for wildlife recommends a proposal, it is sent to the National Board for wildlife clearance, but in this case, the proposal has been set aside.

Wild Life Resorts Private Limited is a company linked to Former Chief Minister Anandiben Patel’s daughter Anar Patel and her business associates. Anar clarified on Facebook that she is neither a director nor a shareholder in the company.

A petitioner in the Gujarat High Court had alleged that the state government had favoured former CM daughter’s Anar Patel, by allotting her company land within 1 km of the Gir lion Sanctuary at a concessional rate, to build a resort. It was alleged that the resort had got permission while others had been denied it in the past.