Probe into resort near Satpura Tiger Reserve continues:After seizure of wildlife body parts, officials find expired food items being served

The high-profile luxury resort Forsyth Lodge, located in Madhai within Narmadapuram district’s Satpura Tiger Reserve (STR), is currently embroiled in controversy. Previously, a case of illegal display of wildlife parts came to light here, and now, during investigation, expired food items have also been found in the resort’s kitchen. On March 7, a joint team of Revenue, Police, and Food Safety Department, led by Sohagpur SDM Priyanka Bhalavi, inspected several resorts in Madhai. During this, packets of gram flour (besan), bread, and semolina (sooji) kept in Forsyth Lodge’s kitchen were found to be past their expiry date. After finding irregularities, the administration did not disclose the matter, which is now being revealed one by one. Expired ingredients also found in another luxury resort During the inspection, expired kidney beans, bread, and moong flour were also found in the kitchen of another luxury resort, The Forest Chapter by Sayaji. Food safety officers took samples of these food items and sent them for lab testing, and the remaining material was destroyed. Further action will be taken after the report comes. The daily rent at resorts like Forsyth Lodge and The Forest Chapter by Sayaji is said to be up to 35 to 40 thousand rupees. In such a situation, the discovery of expired food items raises questions about the management’s arrangements and also raises concerns about tampering with tourists’ health. Food Safety Officer Kamlesh Diyawar informed that the kitchens of Laharshah, Gauri Shah, and Bison Resort in Madhai were also inspected. The food items there were found to be correct. Only Forsyth Lodge and The Forest Chapter by Sayaji were found to have expired items. Boundary wall also built by encroachment The joint team also measured the boundary wall of Forsyth Lodge. The investigation revealed that the resort’s boundary wall extended beyond its land. Following this, Tehsildar Ramkishore Jharbade issued an encroachment notice to the resort operator, seeking a response. Case of illegal exhibition of wildlife parts also During this investigation, an exhibition of wildlife parts was also found in a glass cupboard in a room of Forsyth Resort. Upon receiving information, the STR team reached the spot and seized four antlers of spotted deer, four quills of porcupine, and two snakeskins. In this matter, a case has been registered against Forsyth Lodge under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Management saidThe room had been closed for a long time During the investigation, Faiz Ansari, the resort’s manager and naturalist, stated that the room where the wildlife parts were found had been closed for a long time and was previously used as a spa. He claimed that the administration had broken the lock of the room and opened it during the investigation. Wildlife Parts Cannot Be Kept Without Permission Rakhi Nanda, Field Director of Satpura Tiger Reserve, stated that wildlife and their parts are government property. Even for keeping them for exhibition or awareness purposes, it is necessary to obtain permission from the concerned department. Doing so without permission is a legal offense. According to forest department officials, the investigation of the case is ongoing. If the resort management’s role comes to light in the investigation, action will also be taken against them. Currently, this high-profile resort has come under the surveillance of the forest department.