EIH Ltd’s two projects amid tiger reserves are facing uncertain future.
The Oberoi Vanyavilas is located at the Ranthambore National Park area in Rajasthan and the upcoming Kabini jungle lodge in Karnataka is situated near the Bhadra Tiger Reserve.
EIH Chairman P.R.S. Oberoi said the ban on tourism in the core areas of tiger reserves could be a setback for the two projects.
At Kabini, EIH is building an 18-room lodge. At Ranthambore, it has a 25-room prime hotel property.
S.S. Mukherjee, Vice-Chairman of EIH, said the impact of the Supreme Court ban has not been felt as it came during the lean season of July-September.
“At Kabini we just began to construct staff quarters. The building of the lodge has not started yet,” the Chairman said.
He hoped that there would be way out; tourism weaned away locals from poaching. Ban on tourism, he thought, could lead to unemployment and return of poachers.