Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) has drawn attention at the adverse impact on the Chitwan National Park (CNP) by allowing as many as seven resorts inside the park based on the reactions and views coming from conservationists.

NEFEJ, which has long been involved in the conservation of environment through lobbying and awareness generation, has drawn the attention of the concerned section at taking the desired steps at a time when Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation and hoteliers have locked horns over whether or not to renew the permit.

NEFEJ has in a statement said, "The agreement signed between the government and concerned resorts has not been complied with going back to the last 16 years. There have been addition to physical infrastructure without the necessary permission," NEFEJ said in a statement issued on July 24.

NEFEJ has also raised the issue of how the promoters of the resorts gone on to build swimming pools and concrete structures while they are tapping source of forest water to be used in resorts, which is against the deal. Moreover the promoters are keeping elephants used for safari ride inside the resorts "which is not allowed."

Furthermore, NEFEJ has also drawn the attention of the concerned section at the growing pressure of the visitors while there has not been any study into assessing the impact on the ecosystem. It has also pointed out that there is no provision of carrying out impact assessment in the deal.

It has also drawn attention at the way the government has remained complacent at the need to keep tab on the environmental situation inside what is the World Heritage Site of the UNESCO while also lamenting the poor mobilisation of the revenue from the promoters with huge among remaining still unpaid.

It has also strongly protested the way the tourism community is stepping up pressure on the government to renew the deal reached in the past by ignoring fresh arrangement through competitive bidding."We draw attention of the concerned authority to ensure that biodiversity does not suffer from wanton conduct of business activity," statement signed by General Secretary Tika Ram Rai further said.

Importantly NEFEJ has drawn attention at the need to conserve the genetic resources which the park is rich in.

Download NEFEJ Press Release