The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday flagged a resort close to Taraka Dam in H.D. Kote and alleged that it was an illegal property run by the private secretary of Minister for Housing Zameer Ahmed Khan.
The BJP State spokesperson M.G. Mahesh, in a release, said that as per the Records of Rights, Tenancy, and Crops (RTC), the ownership of the property was in the name of Sardar Sarfaraz Khan, private secretary to the Minister.
Mr. Mahesh alleged that the resort was operating illegally and accused the owner of misusing his political position in operating a commercial property on an agricultural land ‘without legal approval’.
The property is in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) and the buffer zone of the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve and within the elephant conservation area, said Mr. Mahesh.
He alleged that the resort constructed in the floodplain of the river in contravention of the Environmental Protection Act, Wildlife Protection Act, and agricultural land conversion regulations.
The BJP called for a site inspection of the property and urged Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre and the Forest Department officials to initiate legal action against the property owner for violation of the law.
The action of Mr. Sarfaraz Khan went against public interest as it threatens to damage the environment, forest biodiversity, and elephant corridors, said the BJP, calling for a thorough inquiry into the legality of the resort.
Published – June 22, 2025 07:32 pm IST
