15 Resorts in Tipeshwar Eco-Sensitive Zone Served Notices Over Illegal Construction The forest department has issued notices to 15 resort and tourism operators in the Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary’s eco-sensitive zone (ESZ), demanding they halt unauthorized construction and suspend commercial activities until proper permissions are obtained. The orders, issued on March 28, were directed by Yashwant Bahale, the deputy conservator of forests (DCF) for Pandharkawda Forest Division in Yavatmal district. The ESZ, declared by the Central Government on September 18, 2018, surrounds the Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, which spans across the Vidarbha-Telangana border. According to officials, the resort owners had proceeded with construction without securing prior approval from the District Level Monitoring Committee, a body chaired by the district collector. The investigation into the matter was triggered when resort operators allegedly barred the movement of forest staff within the ESZ, raising concerns about illegal activities. Upon verification, authorities discovered that some operators had obtained permissions solely for land beautification but had not secured approvals for actual construction. Others had already begun commercial operations in violation of environmental regulations. The DCF emphasized that any breach of the directives to stop construction and commercial activities would result in strict enforcement under the Environment Protection Act. The ESZ regulations mandate that all construction or commercial projects require prior clearance from the competent committee.#yavatmal_district #tipeshwar_wildlife_sanctuary #yashwant_bahale #district_level_monitoring_committee #pandharkawda_forest_division
