GUWAHATI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has registered a suo-moto case over the construction of the proposed five-star hotel in the vicinity of Assam’s Kaziranga National Park.
The Assam government on August 3 signed an MoU with Amalgamated Plantations Private Limited (APPL) and the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), subsidiaries of the Tata Group companies, for building a Rs 120 crore Taj Resort and Spa in Hathikuli tea garden in Kaziranga area.
Under the MoU, the Amalgamated Plantations Private Limited and Indian Hotels Company Limited will establish hotel and hospitality infrastructure with modern facilities in Kaziranga.
The bench, comprising Judicial Members Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel, has taken suo motu cognizance over the construction of a hotel in the proximity of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The NGT has registered a case (No. 1049/2024) based on a media report alleging that the proposed hotel project in the vicinity of the Kaziranga National Park will threaten wildlife conservation and livelihood.
The matter is scheduled for hearing on August 7, 2024.
Meanwhile, the central government on Monday told Lok Sabha that no permanent structures will be allowed in eco-sensitive zones of the national parks and reserve forests as per a Supreme Court order.
Additionally, Hyatt Hotels Corporation is eyeing the Hathikuli Inglay Pothar area, known as an elephant playground, for its luxury hotel project.
Both projects have faced intense opposition from environmentalists, wildlife activists, and local people.
