Forest Land for Resort? Dhari Forest Department Proposal Sparks Gir Conservation Row

At a time when the Gujarat High Court is taking a strict view of illegal hotels and resorts operating around the Gir sanctuary, a controversial proposal by the Dhari Forest Department has raised questions over the alleged allotment of forest land to facilitate access to an allegedly unauthorised resort.

The Dhari DCF has reportedly submitted a proposal under the Forest Conservation framework to provide 0.3 hectare of reserve forest land for access to the Leonya Heritage Homestay and Resort near Dhari, triggering opposition from conservationists and lion lovers.

Resort allegedly operating in violation of land-use conditions

The property is located on Survey No. 184 in Khicha village of Dhari taluka. The 9,358-square-metre plot was converted to non-agricultural use in 2018 specifically for residential purposes, subject to around 34 conditions.

However, the property was subsequently allegedly used for commercial activities under the name Leonya Heritage Homestay and Resort.

The land is adjacent to reserve forest. According to the allegations, resort operators had earlier damaged a boundary wall of the forest department and created an unauthorised access route through forest land. The department had reportedly imposed a penalty and subsequently repaired the boundary wall.

The latest proposal by the Dhari DCF to provide 0.3 hectare of reserve forest land for an access route has now raised fresh questions over the forest department's role.

Tourism licence already cancelled

The controversy has intensified because the Tourism Department reportedly cancelled the resort's homestay licence on March 13, 2025, following objections related to alleged violations of conditions.

Despite the cancellation and the absence of permission for commercial use of the property, questions are being raised over why a proposal is being considered to provide forest land to facilitate access to the resort.

Questions over previous UltraTech proposal

The move has also drawn attention because the same forest officer had earlier reportedly proposed allotting reserve forest land near Babarkot to UltraTech Cement for mining purposes.

While that proposal itself remains controversial, the fresh proposal involving an allegedly illegal resort has intensified criticism of the Dhari Forest Department.

Conservationists question forest land diversion

Lion conservationists have questioned the rationale behind considering forest land for commercial establishments when the state faces limitations in creating new forest areas for Asiatic lion conservation.

They have alleged that controversial decisions involving forest land have repeatedly been taken at the local level without adequate action from senior forest authorities.

Conservationists have demanded an inquiry into the proposal and sought strict action against officials found responsible for any violation of forest and land-use regulations.

The matter is expected to come under greater scrutiny amid the Gujarat High Court's ongoing focus on illegal hotels and resorts operating around the Gir landscape.