CNP resorts' dues run into millions

KATHMANDU, July 20: Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has stated that five resorts inside Chitwan National Park (CNP) have violated the lease contract they had signed with the government by not paying royalty and conservation fee totaling to Rs 10.9 million to the park office and National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). [break]



CIAA had investigated the case after it received a complaint of revenue default by the resorts. Issuing a press statement on Moday, the CIAA said those hotels have an outstanding royalty of Rs 2.97 million and conservation fee of Rs 7.93 million to pay to CNP and NTNC, respectively.



Of the five resorts, Machan Wildlife Resort owes Rs 612,292 as royalty and Rs 4. 02 million as conservation fee, whereas Gaida Wildlife Camp has owes Rs 1.41 million and Rs 3.58 million to CNP and NTNC, respectively, the CIAA said.



Similarly, royalty owed by Island Jungle Resort and Chitwan Jungle Lodge stands at Rs 302,277 and Rs 361,816 respectively. Island Resort also owes conservation fee of Rs 332,149, while Temple Tiger has royalty due of Rs 280,350.



The CIAA has also decided to write to the resort owners to furnish reasons if they have reasonable ground to get their dues waived off. The government has shut down seven resorts operating inside the CNP after their 15-year lease contract expired on July 15, 2009.

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