In a significant decision aimed at protecting wildlife, the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) in India has postponed the approval of two major projects that could harm animal habitats. One project is a coal mining plan near the Tadoba National Park in Maharashtra, and the other is a road project that would pass through the core zone of the Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh. This decision is part of a growing understanding that development must not destroy the environment. The government, through the NBWL, is taking steps to protect forests and wildlife while India continues to grow and develop.
Tadoba National Park And The Coal Mine Proposal
A. Where Is This Project?
The coal mine proposal is located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, an area that already has a lot of industrial activities. The site is near Tadoba National Park, which is a well-known area for its tigers, leopards, and other wildlife. Tadoba National Park is also a popular destination for tourists, who come to experience the famous Tadoba safari, which offers a chance to see these wild animals in their natural habitat. The location of the proposed coal mine is a concern because of its proximity to this important wildlife sanctuary.
B. What Is The Project?
Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) is leading the project and plans to use 80 hectares of forest land for an open-pit coal mining operation. The goal is to extract 8 million tonnes of coal from the site. This large-scale mining operation could have serious consequences for the local environment. Even though the mine might bring economic benefits, it would destroy the natural land and disrupt wildlife corridors, which are pathways that animals use to move safely between different parts of their habitat. This could affect both the local wildlife and the Tadoba safari experience, which relies on maintaining the area’s natural beauty and ecosystem.
C. Why Is It A Problem?
The main issue with the coal mine is its impact on wildlife corridors. These corridors are especially important for tigers, as they help them travel between different protected areas like Tadoba, Tipeshwar, and Kanhargaon. These corridors allow tigers to meet with other tigers and maintain healthy populations. If the mining project moves forward, it could block these corridors. This could cause tigers to become isolated in smaller areas, which may lead to problems like inbreeding, hunger, or conflicts with humans living nearby. Additionally, mining activities would create noise, dust, and light pollution, which are harmful to wildlife.
D. What Did The Wildlife Board Say?
The NBWL’s standing committee decided to be cautious. Some committee members said the proposed mine might not be inside an official wildlife corridor, and others said they had already seen tigers in the area. To resolve this disagreement, the committee asked the Maharashtra Forest Department to conduct a detailed site review. Until the review is complete, the coal mining project is on hold.
Arunachal Highway Project
A. What Is The Project?
The second controversial project is the Arunachal Frontier Highway. This proposed road would pass through the Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh, which is located along the northeastern border of India with Myanmar. The project would require clearing 310 hectares of dense forest land, much of which is in the core zone of the reserve. Authorities usually do not allow building in the core zone because it is the most protected part of the reserve.
B. Why Is It A Problem?
The Namdapha Tiger Reserve is one of the most biodiverse areas in India, home to many rare species like tigers, clouded leopards, red pandas, and hornbills. People should not build in the core zone of the reserve to keep it safe. Building a road through this area could harm the animals that live there. Creating a road would break up the animals’ habitats, interfere with their breeding, and make it easier for poachers and illegal loggers to enter the reserve. Roads also bring other environmental problems, such as noise from traffic, the spread of harmful plant species, and the destruction of animal habitats.
C. What Did The Wildlife Board Say?
The NBWL chose to delay permission for the highway project due to possible environmental harm. However, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said that authorities might approve the road as a special case because it is near an international border. If authorities approve the project, they will only do it after good plans are made to reduce harm to the environment. These plans could include building wildlife underpasses to allow elephants and other large animals to safely cross the road.
Other Topics From The Meeting
During the same meeting, the NBWL also discussed broader issues related to wildlife conservation. One of the key topics was the need for clear and consistent rules when evaluating infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive areas. Currently, the rules are often applied differently depending on the project, which can lead to inconsistent decisions that might harm wildlife in the long term. The Board also emphasized that conservation should not focus only on famous animals like tigers.
There are many other species, such as sloth bears and gharials, that are also endangered but do not get as much attention. Plans are being made to create conservation programs specifically for these lesser-known species. Additionally, the NBWL confirmed that India will host a Global Summit on Big Cats at the end of 2025. This summit will be organized in collaboration with the International Big Cat Alliance and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The goal of the summit will be to bring together experts to discuss the protection and conservation of big cat species worldwide.
One More Project Approved
Not all of the projects discussed at the meeting were rejected. The NBWL did approve a renovation project for the Asolamendha irrigation system in the Chandrapur district. This project is located within a tiger corridor that connects Tadoba National Park, Kawal Tiger Reserve, and Tipeshwar Sanctuary. However, the Board determined that the environmental impact of this irrigation system renovation would be minimal and manageable. Therefore, it decided to allow the project to proceed. This approval shows that the NBWL is trying to find a balance between development and environmental protection. While it is blocking projects that could cause serious harm to the environment, it is also allowing some projects to move forward if they have a low environmental impact.
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