Pune: The state forest department has told the National Green Tribunal ( NGT ) that all recreational activities at its proposed eco-tourism park in Wanowrie will be stopped. “All completed works are related to removing gliricidia and planting tall plantations, water supply (water tank with supply from tanker), pathway, water storage tanks and pipeline along with borewell. The remaining works are not going to be undertaken.
We will refrain from creating any recreational activities in the said area,” Mahadev Mohite, deputy conservator of forests, Pune, said in an affidavit filed on July 20. The principal bench of NGT had taken cognisance of the alleged cutting of trees for the development of the park on the reserve forest land located on survey number 49 through an article, “Trees felled for eco park leaves behind barren land” published by TOI on January 12 this year. After the previous hearing held on May 22, Mohite had told TOI, “We will review the recreational plans.
We will study opinions received from people supporting and opposing the project and then proceed.” Local residents and applicants in the case on July 20 filed their objections to the forest department’s 10-year working plan and its effect on the Wanowrie park. The forest department, despite mentioning in their working plan that no permanent structures but only temporary structures made of forest materials would be allowed at sites of reserve forests, had been building concrete structures such as wa.