National body clears projects in SGNP, GIB sanctuary

By Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Dec 13, 2012, 03.01 AM IST Goa to take another shot at Jawaharlal Nehru national urban renewal m...Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission: Land Acquisition Del...CID launches its Kolkata BureauKumar Sanu releases Aamar KolkataKolkata must protect its greenery NAGPUR: The 27th Standing Committee meeting of National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) on Wednesday approved two projects inside the protected areas (PAs) in the state. The two projects include Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL) proposal for double laning of railway line in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Mumbai, and laying of 220 KV Tuljapur-Solapur-Lamboti electricity transmission line through Great Indian Bustard (GIB) Sanctuary, Nanaj. Confirming the development, NBWL member Kishor Rithe stated that the committee also discussed crucial wildlife policy matters like poor fund allocation to manage critically endangered wildlife species in India. The Standing Committee, highest decision making body on issues related to projects affecting PAs, also discussed 26 old project proposals for forest land diversion falling within 10km from the boundary of PAs. It also took up 22 fresh proposals from different states. The railways project in SGNP will need diversion of 17 hectare forest land for double laning of railway line from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) to Howrah. The railway line is Indian Railways quadrilateral linking the four metropolitan cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. The state board for wildlife has already recommended the proposal on June 7, 2012. The NBWL cleared the project as it will benefit local population and release much-needed additional capacity in the existing railway line, which shall be utilized for running additional passenger services. The chief wildlife warden has recommended the proposal with the condition of underground or elevated railway line at corridors instead of conventional railway line on ground to minimize threat and disturbance to wildlife. Similarly, the panel also cleared proposal for laying transmission line passing through GIB Sanctuary by MSEDCL. The state board for wildlife has recommended the proposal on June 28, 2011. According to MSEDCL, the line is passing through the non-forest areas of the sanctuary. Since the entire taluka is under the GIB Sanctuary, no alternative arrangement is possible. GIB is an endangered species found in the area. The chief wildlife warden has recommended the proposal. Another member MK Ranjitsinh mooted a proposal for discussion on allocation of funds for wildlife conservation schemes other than under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/National-body-clears-projects-in-SGNP-GIB-sanctuary/articleshow/17591960.cms