(a) whether there is any proposal to provide roads and rest-houses in the reserved forest areas of the country to attract foreign tourists and use the revenue earned therefrom for
forest development;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) to (c) No Sir. No such proposal is under consideration of the Ministry. There is a
felt need to enhance the extent of forest areas, including the reserved forests, in the
country. Further, there is also need to protect the forests by reducing biotic pressure on
them. Providing roads and rest-houses in the reserved forest areas of the country may lead
to unlimited and uncontrolled biotic pressure which may eventually cause degradation of the forests.