Another parliamentary committee takes up Chitwan resorts issue

KATHMANDU, Sept 11: Accusing another parliamentary committee of encroaching on its jurisdiction, the parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Means (CNRM) has begun investigation into the row over whether to extend the term of seven resorts operating inside the Chitwan National Park (CNP) -- a UNESCO World Heritage site.



The parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is investigating into the matter. But the CNRM has said investigation into national parks falls under its jurisdiction not under that of the PAC. The PAC´s report prepared after the field study of CNP and hotels is in the final stage. [break]



In a meeting on Thursday, CNRM members interrogated Secretary of Forest and Soil Conservation (FSC) Yuvraj Bhusal, Joint-Secretary of the ministry, Madhav Acharya and Director General of the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation Gopal Upadhyaya about the matter. In the meeting, the committee also handed over the responsibility of the investigation to its subcommittee on forest and soil conservation that looks after the matters related to the ministry of FSC.



A meeting of the subcommittee on Thursday decided to inform the PAC about its investigation and corresponded to the latter. "We wrote to the PAC that our committee has taken up the matter as it falls under our jurisdiction," said Ramesh Rijal, a member of the committee. The subcommittee will also probe issues related to other national parks as well.



The seven resorts are operating inside CNP for decades. Their latest lease contract expired on July 15. Lawmakers are strongly against the practice of granting lease contract to operate jungle resorts inside the world heritage site. They have suggested that the resorts be immediately relocated outside CNP.



The members of CNRM have argued that their committee is the right body to conduct a study on the impact of such activities inside national parks and other conservation areas. "The PAC´s duty is only to investigate if the resorts are paying their revenue, conservation fee and see if there are any financial irregularities. It cannot take the decision on whether to allow the resorts to operate inside the national parks," Rijal said.



However, Chairman of PAC Ram Krishna Yadav said his committee would not stop its work due to other committee´s decision to probe into the matter as PAC was in the last stage of making a final decision.



thira@myrepublica.com

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