In a significant move, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) – Wildlife, with the endorsement of PCCF (HoFF), has recently issued a directive to the Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) in Belagavi Circle for the transition of the Hemmadaga Nature Camp in Bhimgad Sanctuary from the management of Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR) back to the Forest Department in the Khanapur area of Belagavi district.
This decision follows a suggestion made by wildlife advocate Giridhar Kulkarni to Brijesh Kumar Dixit, PCCF (HoFF) and Subhash Malkhede, PCCF (Wildlife) in May 2022. Mr. Kulkarni recommended that the management of the Nature Camp should revert to the Forest Department, involving the Hemmadaga Eco Development Committee, for various cited reasons.
Subsequently, Vithal Halgekar, the MLA for Khanapur, supported this proposal by writing to Eshwar Khandre, the Minister for Forests, advocating for the same change in management.
The decision-making process experienced some delays. During a visit to Belagavi Zoo in December 2023, Minister Khandre issued strict verbal instructions to Manjunath Chavan, CCF, Belagavi Circle, urging him to promptly send recommendations for the handover.
Finally, on March 11, 2024, the PCCF (Wildlife) formalized the directive for the CCF, Belagavi Circle, to proceed with the reassignment of the nature camp from JLR to the Forest Department.
