'For this the infrastructure of all the resorts should be ecofriendly,' said Anil Manandhar, director WWF Nepal. 'Big permanent structures should be allowed only in the buffer zone of the park, and not in the core area. The eco-friendly infrastructure inside the park should not be in prime habitat of wild animals.'

Manandhar also said the government should have strong regular monitoring measures and immediately close down the resorts if they were found flouting the park's rules and regulations.

Bantawa said the resorts were in dialogue with the forest ministry and the results were positive.

He said the government was ready to extend the leases but needed a formal approval from the cabinet.

With Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal being in Egypt for the 15th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit, a full cabinet meeting has not been held since his departure Tuesday. Nepal would return Saturday.

The seven resorts together employ over 1,000 people directly as well as about 70 elephants.

While they have been closed to tourists awaiting a decision by the government, a skeletal staff is present in all seven to feed and look after the elephants.