The 30th Standing Committee meeting of National Board for Wildlife on Wednesday discussed about 70 proposals, of which 20 were new. The meeting took in-principle decision against widening of roads passing through wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. This was the last meeting of the present standing committee.
According to sources, the Standing Committee struck down all proposals related to widening of roads, highways passing through Protected Areas in the country. It decided that no such project will be allowed in future, and only the existing roads can be repaired or maintained. Many of these proposals were pending for the past two-three years. The decision also comes with riders of keeping away night traffic from such roads. In case of new constructions, possibilities of diversion may be considered.
It decided on setting up a high-level committee to check poaching of tigers and rhinos. Certain members also raised serious concerns on proposed amendments to Wildlife Protection Act, tabled in the Rajya Sabha recently. They questioned the meaning/implications of “trap” vis a vis any device designed to restrain or capture an animal. The members also called for implementation mechanism on the recent ban order of shark fin trade by Environment Ministry.
Prominent amongst the fresh proposals that figured include approval for a crushing unit near Gangotri National Park in Uttarakhand, gas pipeline project in Assam, Housing projects in Chandigarh amongst others.
The meeting also discussed at length on the status of critically of endangered species, listed under the revival programme of the Environment Ministry. The conservation of Great Indian Bustards, Hangul, lesser Floricans, figured in the discussion. The members called for following up the steps taken by the respective state forest departments in this regard. The meeting called for more seriousness on the issue suggesting that detailed recovery plans must be prepared in consultation with experts and its implementation funded and regularly monitored by the Environment Ministry.
The issue of GIB conservation continued for long with the members pointing out that with only about 100 GIBs left in the country today, the situation needs to be considered in urgency. They suggested that one immediate measure was giving strict protection to GIB habitat, and zero disturbances to its lekking sites.
The issue of construction of intake well near left bank of Chambal river at Kota barrage reservoir falling in National Chambal Ghariyal Sanctuary, Rajasthan was rejected by the members. The members pointed out that it was not correct on the part of Rajasthan to say that this project was for drinking water alone. There are several industrial units in and around Kota city and this water would also be used for meeting the needs of the industry. They pointed out that any further withdrawal of water would be fatal to the survival of the critically endangered Gharials and Gangetic Dolphins.
Amongst other issues discussed include bringing key wildlife corridors to be brought under the purview of the Standing committee of NBWl, welfare measures for forest guards, strengthening the notification process for Eco-Sensitive Zones around Protected Areas.
Board’s decision
Struck down all proposals related to roads widening, no future possibility for approval
Gangotri National Park in Uttarakhand, Gas pipeline project in Assam, Housing projects in Chandigarh approved
Status of critically of endangered species discussed
Intake well near Chambal River, Rajasthan was rejected
Welfare measures for forest guards strengthened