Thursday, June 21, 2012

NH-7 project upgrade to abide by wildlife protection norms....

NAGPUR: After recommending seven elevated structures on NH-6 that cuts through vital tiger populations of Central India, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, while reviewing NHAI's revised proposal for four-laning of NH-7, has recommended additional structures with 7-metre height.

The WII has also kept the option to use alternative Seoni-Chhindwara route with proper mitigation measures in three forest patches to retain connectivity to Satpuda-Bori-Pench tiger reserves.
On the direction of Supreme Court, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) submitted a modified proposal for diversion of forest land for proposed four-laning of NH-7 between Seoni in Madhya Pradesh and Mansar in Maharashtra.
The court had directed the government to approach the authorities under Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 to consider NHAI's revised proposal. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) discussed the proposal in a technical committee meeting on December 8, 2011, and gave it to the WII for review on NHAI's behalf. A two-member WII team had visited NH-6 and NH-7 from January 25 to February 7.
For four-laning NHAI needs forest land on around 55km patch in South Seoni Forest Division and periphery of Pench Tiger Reserve in MP (Seoni to Khawasa) and in 37km from Pench-Mansinghdeo sanctuary (Deolapar and Mansar). Of the total 89km road, around 60km touches dense forests that are also tiger corridors.
On MP side, NHAI had scaled down its demand for forest land from 71 hectares to 36 hectares. On Maharashtra side, the damage to wildlife and forests would be more severe despite NHAI revising proposal from acquiring 113 hectare to 51 hectare. The NHAI also reduced the right of way (ROW) from 60 metres to 30 metres.
However, WII has said reduction in ROW will increase the probability of animal fatality by vehicles. The reduction in ROW will reduce the number of trees cut without delivering positive impacts for wildlife using the road edge.
The NHAI suggested 39 structures (14 underpasses and 25 pipe/slab/box culverts) in 9km patch passing through Pench but WII recommended 11 underpasses with change in height for all the underpasses from 4 mt to 7 mt and change of width from 70 mt to 200 mt. Similarly, WII has recommended 22 structures for culverts.
The WII says the small structures suggested by NHAI were suitable for animals like amphibians, lizards, snakes and small mammals such as mongoose, civets, but not for big mammals like leopards, tigers and bisons.
Studies conducted by the environmental impact assessment cell (EIAC) of the WII concluded that there were well established crossing zones for wildlife animals on different locations in the section. The WII recommended 5 additional structures 600 to 800 metres in length and 7 metres in height on section passing through South Seoni Forest Division.

On Maharashtra side, NHAI suggested construct six underpasses - four of 7 by 3.5 metres and two of 12 by 5.5 metres, besides, 15 bridges of varied dimensions and 17 box and slab culverts.
The WII says height of these underpasses and bridges should not be less than 7 metres. Based on site inspection by its team, WII has recommended 10 additional structures ranging from 200 to 2,000 mt length and with 7 metres height.

The WII is also open to using alternative Seoni-Chhindwara route and retaining two-lane road along Pench.
The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), which is fighting to protect the vital corridor, says the existing NH-7 can be used from Nagpur to Amdi and can be joined to NH-26B via Parsheoni-Khapa-Saoner.

The tract between Mansar and Seoni should be maintained under forest supervision and control. This road can be used for day traffic and only for locals and not for heavy vehicles. "Large construction work will disturb wildlife and also destroy ecology," WTI officials said.

However, NHAI the alignment via Chhindwara will increase length from 125km to 198km (73km) and involves realignment in 21km of ghat area of forest. Besides, 927 hectares of land, 480 hectares of fresh alignment, 163 hectares for forest alignment and 284 hectares of extra land for widening will be required and will involve felling of 81,500 trees.

WTI says NHAI has already started widening of Chhindwara road and has felled hundreds of trees.

Source by :Times of india

Karnataka government flouts green laws in Bandipur, plans a building

Government-owned Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR), a unit involved in eco-tourism, is planning to raise permanent structures at its resort on the fringes of Bandipur Tiger Sanctuary in gross violation of norms pertaining to eco-sensitive zones.

As per the guidelines and rules worked out by the ministry of forest and environment and Project Tiger authorities, no commercial activity can be taken up in eco-sensitive zones. Even the raising of permanent structures related to commercial ventures is prohibited. If villagers or locals plan to build/ alter their houses/ bungalows, they have to seek permission of a committee constituted for the purpose.

But in violation of all such norms and guidelines, JLR authorities at Melkamanahalli unit are planning to build staff quarters and other structures to improve the facilities for tourists and resort employees. There are also plans to build a compound and parking unit for vehicles.

When contacted, Bandipur Tiger Sanctuary director Kumar Pushkar said according to a communication received by him, JLR authorities have decided to drop the construction of staff quarters with the plan going against the norms on eco-sensitive zones. "Earlier, they had decided to build the quarters and started related works. But they have stopped now," he said, adding that no commercial activity or work related to commercial ventures will be allowed in 3-6-km radius of the sanctuary.

However, JLR MD Anu Reddy tried to defend himself, saying that they are going ahead with work on the staff quarters. "Building staff quarters is not a commercial activity," he said, adding: "We have dropped the idea of building a compound wall. We have now decided to put chicken mesh around the resort and create parking space at a place adjoining the resort." He said Chamarajanagar district administration has allotted the land for the purpose. "We are not violating any rule related to eco-sensitive zones," he said. 


Source By : Times of india

2 dead leopards found in canal....

Two leopards were found dead in a canal of Surajwadi dam on the outskirts of Luvara village in Savarkundla taluka of Amreli district on Wednesday morning.

The incident came to light when resident of Luvara village Bhavesh Chandu spotted suspicious carcasses floating in the canal water. Chandu soon informed other villagers and forest department officials about the incident.

Savarkundla forest range officials reached the spot and fished out the leopards' carcasses from the water with the help of local villagers.

According to forest officials, both leopards were male and about an year-old. Primary investigation suggests they may have accidently fell into the water and drowned. However, we will be able to know the exact reason after the postmortem.

Forest officials said there are about eight leopards in the area. In fact, Luvara villagers informed the forest department officials about the presence of leopards around their village a few days ago.

Earlier, on Tuesday, two-year-old lioness was found dead in mysterious circumstances in Raydi-Pati village of Khambha taluka.





Source by : Times of india