The 57th Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life was held on April 7, 2020 through Video Conference and chaired by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar.
1. Proposal for use of 32.085 ha land (PA land : 31.015 ha + Non-PA land : 1.887 ha) for four-laning of existing NH-4A in Anmod – Mollem Section from km 84/133 to km 97/000 in the Goa – Karnataka border, Goa State
The IGF (WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated that the proposal is for use of 32.085 ha land (PA land: 31.015 ha + Non-PA land: 1.887 ha) for four-laning of existing NH-4A in Anmod – Mollem Section from km 84/133 to km 97/000 passing through the sanctuary.
He also stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the proposal with the following conditions:
(1) As the terrain is undulating with heavy rainfall and gradient above 30 cm, the construction of road along the road is highly vulnerable to soil erosion; and as such all precautions measures are to be taken to control soil erosion and washout of soil in the forest streams. The precautions are to be taken in respect to soil erosion by construction of rubble wall bandaras, across the contour lines; so that soil should not wash away and soil erosion is controlled. The site is inspected and all possible under-passes are recommended with dimensions as per the size of animals. These under-passes will reduce the death of wildlife by accidents. The User Agency should in particular look often at these factors while executing the project.
(2) The User Agency will on priority, also undertake works of putting the proper signage to control the speed limit to allow wild animals to move; not to light fire or litter in wildlife sanctuary area; and not to park vehicles unnecessarily. Similarly, the User Agency has been directed to put a proper big board at entry point on both sides to cautions vehicles that they are entering wildlife sanctuary. The structures like fire watch towers; view points for public, toilets; and portable drinking water facilities should be provided. Further the IGF (WL) stated that the State Board for Wild Life has recommended the proposal in its meeting held on December 2, 2019. After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to recommend the proposal subject to the conditions that
(a) The project proponent will comply with all the conditions imposed by the State Chief Wildlife Warden. The Animal Passage Plan should be implemented by the user agency.
(b) The annual compliance certificate on the stipulated conditions should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wildlife Warden and an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chief Wildlife Warden to Government of India.
2.Proposal for use of 85.50 ha land (forest land: 48.3 ha + PA land: 11.54 ha + Non-PA land: 36.76 ha) for laying of LILO of one CKT of Narendra (existing) – Narendra (new) 400 kV D/C quad transmission line at Xeldem, Goa State
The IGF (WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated that the proposal is for use of 85.50 ha land (forest land: 48.3 ha + PA land: 11.54 ha + Non-PA land : 36.76 ha) for laying of LILO of one CKT of Narendra – Narendra 400 kV D/C quad transmission line of 2.51 km and 46 m width of forestland of sanctuary.
He stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the proposal with the condition that the User Agency may install towers in such a way that minimum trees are required to be felled and the construction / installation work should not have any adverse impact on wildlife habitat.
Further the IGF (WL) stated that the State Board for Wild Life has recommended the proposal in its meeting held on December 2, 2019. After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to recommend the proposal subject to the conditions that
(a) The project proponent will comply with all the conditions imposed by the State Chief Wildlife Warden.
(b) The annual compliance certificate on the stipulated conditions should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wildlife Warden and an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chief Wildlife Warden to the Government of India
The meeting was attended by Santhosh Kumar, CWLW, Goa, who was a Invitee
NWB 56th meeting 17/12/2019
Proposal for wildlife clearance for doubling of existing railway line from Castlerock to Kulem, Goa State
The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated that the proposal is for use of 120.875 ha of land (PA area : 113.857 ha + Non-PA area : 7.108 ha) from the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary for doubling of existing railway line from Castlerock to Kulem. He stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the proposal with the condition that the railway authorities may explore the option of putting some gate in tunnel which can be opened through some mechanical / electronically controlled switches before train arrival so as to ensure the wild animals are not trapped in some of long tunnels when no train is there in tunnel.
Further the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wild Life has recommended the proposal in its meeting held on 16/12/2017. After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to recommend the proposal subject to the conditions that
(a) The project proponent will comply with all the conditions imposed by the State Chief Wildlife Warden. The approved Animal Passage Plan should be implemented by the project proponent.
(b) The annual compliance certificate on the stipulated conditions should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wildlife Warden and an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chief Wildlife Warden to the Government of India.