Wildlife board clears key infra projects around forest reserves

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SCNBWL) headed by Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav has approved key infrastructure projects in and around wildlife reserves as per minutes of its meeting held on June 26.

- Jayashree Nandi

The panel has approved “in principle” , the diversion of 310 ha of forest land from the core zone of Namdapha Tiger Reserve for the construction of ‘Arunachal Frontier Highway.

The minutes indicate that there are several environmental concerns with the project which would result in the felling of approximately 1.5 lakh trees. One member of the committee questioned need for extensive widening as per the minutes.

. the present proposal seeks an expansion, and two major concerns arise: first, the plan would result in the felling of approximately §1,55,000 trees, and the justification for such extensive widening is unclear; second, the animal passage plan must be aligned with actual ground realities regarding wildlife presence and crossing points, and the current plan is weak in this respect,” the minutes stated.

The proposal was recommended by Chief Wildlife Warden, the State Board for Wildlife and the Arunachal Pradesh government.