KIOCL Ltd (formerly known as Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd), which has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) to develop Kudremukh as a eco-tourism spot, has sent the DPR to Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR) for acceptance.

In an informal chat with Business Line at a function to hand over a vehicle to the ‘Akshya Patra' scheme of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) here on Tuesday, Mr K. Ranganath, Chairman and Managing Director of KIOCL Ltd, said that the DPR on the proposed plan has been sent to JLR for its acceptance.

“We are waiting for their (JLR) reply,” he said.

In fact, Mr Suresh Kumar, Minister in-charge of Chikmagalur district (where Kudremukh is located), had held a joint meeting with the Deputy Commissioner of Chikmagalur, JLR and KIOCL Ltd, for developing the area as an eco-tourism spot.

A consensus had come out in that meeting that there is scope for eco tourism in that area, he said.

To a query on the Central Government's plan to develop Kudremukh National Park area as a tiger reserve, he said the company is not proposing eco tourism in the tiger conservation project area.

The proposed plan is in the periphery, and it is outside the Kudremukh National Park area.

The proposed eco-tourism project will be in the revenue leasehold area of the company.

“Eco tourism can be developed there without harming environment,” he said.

The proposed plan on eco tourism envisages the development of Kudremukh town as a no-plastic zone.

Thrust would also be given on developing solar energy in that area.

The development of Kudremukh as eco-tourism spot will help utilise the infrastructure created at the township in a better way, he added.

Mr Ranganath handed over a vehicle to ISKCON in Mangalore for transporting mid-day meal to various schools in the area.

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