Nagpur, Sep 10, 2020 (TNN): In the last 7 months, the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved 59 proposals diverting 435 hectares (4.35sq km) of tiger habitat forest in the country falling within the protected areas (PAs) and outside.
The NBWL is a statutory body created under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The 47-member committee is tasked with promoting conservation and development of wildlife and forests. It is responsible for regulating activities within the protected areas.
This area diverted equals to the size of world famous Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra. An analysis of the proposals by Legal Initiative for Forest & Environment (LIFE), which promotes environment democracy through creative use of law and science, states that of the 59 proposals, 28 were for diversion of forest within wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, one involved denotification (deletion) of areas within a wildlife sanctuary for boundary alteration, while 30 were tiger habitats within 10km radius from the boundary of PAs.
These forest lands serve as important corridors for dispersal of tigers and other wildlife.
Out of 28 proposals that sought diversion within PAs, 21 were approved by the standing committee and remaining seven were deferred for later consideration. Not a single proposal was rejected by the committee. These 21 proposals will entail diversion of 212.23 hectares within the PAs. Of this, 74% were for linear projects, 16% for defence facilities and 10% for irrigation.
The analysis also finds that of the 10 proposals spread over 222.67 hectares that were approved for diversion outside PAs but within tiger habitats, six were for linear infrastructure, three for setting up defence facilities and one for airport construction.
The maximum diversion (44 hectares) due to linear projects took place within Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park in Goa. Over 17,000 trees of high density will be chopped for the project. Besides, maximum diversion (107 hectares) took place within Dampa Tiger Reserve (Mizoram) for construction of 132 KV transmission line.
The tiger reserves that will be hit by the forest diversion include Nagarjuna, Pakke, Pilibhit, Dudhwa, Kawal, and Dampa.
“The report is based on review and analysis of approvals granted during January-July 2020. Such information would assist conservationists, wildlife managers and decision-makers to have a comprehensive overview of threats to the PA network in the country,” says RK Singh, scientific adviser, LIFE, Delhi.
Singh said the standing committee has approved all proposals coming before it.
In this context, it is significant to note that PAs are created to ensure inviolate areas for wildlife conservation. This is expressed in the Wildlife (Protection) Act as well. The statute prohibits damage, destruction or diversion of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks unless it is for improvement and better management of wildlife.