KATHMANDU, Oct 22: Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Deepak Bohara on Wednesday said that the seven resorts and hotels inside Chitwan National Park (CNP) would "re-open soon."
Speaking to myrepublica, Minister Bohara said that the cabinet committee headed by finance minister and comprising the forest, tourism, and law and justice ministers, the vice-chairman of National Planning Commission and secretaries of all the ministries concerned is all set to take a decision on reopening the resorts.
"We will give the resorts an exit plan and as per the decision of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Keeping in view the upcoming Nepal Tourism Year, they will be allowed to operate till 2012," said Minister Bohara. He added that the decision to this effect would be taken within "few days" by the cabinet committee.
Stating that the Natural Resources and Means Committee (NRMC) had delayed the decision in this regard, Minister Bohara said, "My Ministry is positive about the decision taken by the Public Accounts Committee and we are working towards reopening the resorts."
As per the exit plan, the seven resorts -- Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge, Machan Wildlife Camp, Chitwan Jungle Lodge, Gaida Wildlife Camp, Island Jungle Resort, Hotel Narayani Safari and Temple Tiger Hotel -- will be asked to close down latest by June 2012. As per the PAC decision, those resorts that willingly close before the stipulated time will be provided incentives as well.
This initiative comes at a time when the NRMC has directed the government not to take any decision unless the PAC gives a clear directive. The NRMC also claimed that PAC has no jurisdiction over the matter. Also, the decision is against the recommendation jointly presented by the Department of Wildlife and Nature Conservation, Nepal Army, WWF and other conservation experts early this month.
The hoteliers along with the Hotel Association of Nepal and the Nepal Tourism Board are now in the forefront advocating such an exit plan. While the seven resort owners, who were earlier adamant on not leaving the CNP, have now agreed to the Committee recommendation to close down, 63 other hotel operators outside the conservation area too have joined hands with them to echo a "common voice" before the government.
Claiming that the government is positive about reopening the seven resorts, Prasiddha Pandey, President of HAN said, "It is a welcome decision as the closure has already hit the tourism industry hard," adding, "We have urged the concerned authorities to arrive at a decision within this month."
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