Gujarat HC relief to resort near Gir

24-04-2015
Gujarat HC relief to resort near Gir
The Times Of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Gujarat-HC-relief-to-resort-near-Gir/articleshow/47034400.cms
AHMEDABAD: Gujarat high court on Thursday granted relief to Savaj Resort, a luxury hotel near Gir sanctuary, after the hospitality unit came complaining that the local authorities sealed all its rooms though it has got an NOC to run the hotel. 

The resort has got NOC for 20 rooms, but it constructed 14 extra rooms. The authorities sealed all rooms and forced the hotel to close down on the ground that it had violated the terms and conditions of the NOC. 

The HC reminded the state government of its order that only rooms that do not have NOC should be sealed. The petitioner resort also highlighted that the sealing drive was carried out on instructions issued by the additional advocate general for violation of conditions of NOC. The court was irked with this and rebuked the official for interpreting the court order in a different manner and for non-compliance of the court order in proper manner. 

Before this, the HC refused to grant any relief to the hospitality unit of Taj Group of Hotel, which was sought to be closed down by the officials for want of NOC. 

Meanwhile, the state government informed the HC that 35 extra rooms constructed by Club Mahindra & Resort have been sealed. Similarly, 39 rooms in Gir Forest Resort, 25 rooms in Gir Jungle Lodge, 31 rooms and 2 spas in Gateway Gir Forest and 13 rooms in Hotel Greenland have been sealed because they were constructed without obtaining NOC. 

The HC has kept further hearing on May 4 on this proceeding initiated suo motu on a complaint of illegal construction in the buffer zone of Gir sanctuary. 

The court has asked the state government to explain the issue of permission granted by gram panchayats concerned to these luxury hotels, which have constructed multi-storied buildings though there is prohibition to put up such a structure in the buffer zone. 

Besides, the court has also sought clarification on contradictory resolutions passed by the forest department conditionally permitting hospitality units to run in buffer zone of 2 km, which is against the provisions of a 2010 resolution by the home department completely prohibiting such activity in this area.