The Uttarakhand govt. seems to be less concerned for human safety from maneaters than granting permission to industrialists and affluent classes to build resorts in the hills without changing the land use
In the recent cabinet meeting, the Uttarakhand government took a big decision under the service sector policy that now resorts and hotels can be opened in the hilly districts without changing the land use of agricultural land.
On the surface, this decision is being presented in the name of ‘development’ and ’employment’, but serious questions arise about its real direction and intention because this policy clearly indicates that the government wants to open the mountains not for the local people but for big industrialists and hotel owners.
The terror of tigers, leopards, and bears is increasing in the hilly districts. Dozens of people have fallen victim to these attacks in recent months. There is panic in every village, making it difficult to work in the fields, and children are afraid to go to school.
In such a situation, the biggest question of the people is – will the government first ensure the safety of humans in the mountains or look after the the facilities of the resort owners?
Several videos and discussions are circulating on social media – it is not clear where they are from, but they show some people transporting wild animals in vehicles and leaving them in mountain forests.
It is not proven who is doing this, why, and for what purpose. But it is also true that when the government’s policies appear to be against the interests of the people, then such apprehensions arise.
While on the one hand the local people are afraid to step out of their homes due to fear of animals and on the other hand the government is making the procedures for opening resorts easier.
So, the fear is deepening in the minds of the native inhabitants of the mountains that whether such conditions are being deliberately created in the mountains so that the local people migrate and the mountains are handed over to the industrialists?
Because large resorts require large tracts of land, secluded areas, wildlife experiences, and luxury spaces for foreign tourists.
All of these can be easily found after migrating to hilly districts.
The government needs to clarify:
1. What steps are being taken to reduce wildlife-human conflict in the hill districts?
2. Will the safety of local people take precedence over that of resort owners?
3. Is it appropriate to hand over agricultural land worth millions to tourism companies without changing the land use?
4. Are the interests of the mountain’s indigenous inhabitants even included in this policy?
The people of the mountains do not want “resort culture”, they want safe life, employment, agriculture and respect in the mountains. But when the government pursues those policies which directly benefit only the capitalists.
RAGHUBIR BISHT , SENIOR CONGRESS LEADER OF UTTARAKHABD
