Villagers condemn home stay construction in Tiger Reserve areas

Chamarajanagar: Opposing the construction of the large-sized buildings in an area which comes under the eco-sensitive Tiger Reserve and National Forest Reserve, the Mangala villagers have condemned the silence of the forest officials concerned.

Mangala village road which comes under the jurisdiction of Gundlupet Taluk, Hangala village’s Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Kundakere region, has deity Shaneshwara’s small sanctum, which exists since ages. The neighbouring villagers also visit and offer prayers here.

As the temple structure is in tatters, the villagers have built a small temporary mantap.

The irony is that, the forest department has not given permission to construct a new temple, but has allowed a person from Bengaluru to construct a huge building. The person has allegedly, not availed any sort of legal permission from the local or government bodies.

To have a home stay built in site no. 114, a massive construction has already begun, which has brought in cement mixers and concrete laying machines, illegally, on November 27, villagers complain.

Around 40 labourers are on the job.

The villagers have criticised the forest department officials accusing them of favouring the capitalists rather than supporting the people living around the forest area.