NBWL clears Namdapha land diversion for Arunachal highway, 1.5 lakh trees to be felled

Delhi, July 11: The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife(NBWL) has approved a proposal to divert 310 hectares of forest land from the core area of the Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh for the construction of the Arunachal Frontier Highway (NH-913).

The approval comes despite objections from some committee members who raised serious concerns about insufficient wildlife mitigation measures and the proposed felling of more than 1.5 lakh trees.

The project, located in Changlang district, aims to link NH-215 near Kharsang with the Miao-Gandhigram-Vijaynagar road — a vital section of the strategic NH-913 corridor running close to the India-Myanmar border, as per official records.

The Arunachal Pradesh Public Works Department had sought diversion of 248.79 hectares of forest land for intermediate lane expansion and an additional 61.21 hectares for muck disposal.

According to sources, a meeting to discuss the project proposal was held on June 26, involving NBWL members H. S. Singh and R. Sukumar, along with the state’s Chief Wildlife Warden.

It was observed that "the mitigation measures proposed, including underpasses, are quite rudimentary when compared to earlier proposals".

The member secretary added that the animal passage plan lacked adequate site specific research and several proposed structures follow "standard PWD culvert or causeway designs rather than designs tailored for effective wildlife movement."

"There was consensus that a comprehensive, research-based animal passage plan is necessary, one that clearly specifies the appropriate design, location, height and length of underpasses and overpasses based on actual animal movement patterns," he said.

Sukumar, while raising two key concerns, acknowledged the strategic importance of the road, which had already been approved two years ago as an all-weather corridor.

"First, the plan would result in the felling of approximately 1,55,000 trees and the justification for such extensive widening is unclear; second, the animal passage plan must be aligned with actual ground realities regarding wildlife presence and crossing points and the current plan is weak in this respect," he said.

However, Singh suggested that "the animal passage plan may be re-examined and thereafter the proposal may be approved."

Responding to the objections, the CWW of Arunachal Pradesh said the widening was "not extensive" and involves an upgrade from "3.5 m width to intermediate laning".

He said the state government will ensure that the animal passage plan that may be prepared shall be implemented by the user agency. Clarifying further that the figure of 1.55 lakh trees includes poles and undergrowth as well, he added that "in tropical forest area the undergrowth is very high".

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) will prepare an animal passage plan for this project within three months, the director of the institute assured the committee.

After detailed discussions, the committee decided to approve the proposal.

It said the WII will undertake a comprehensive and site-specific study of the project area. Based on this study, it will propose scientifically robust and practical mitigation measures aimed at minimising adverse impacts on wildlife and their habitats.

The committee also approved the use of over 133 ha of land, including forest and non-forest area from two Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ) and a tiger corridor in Andhra Pradesh, for the construction of a four-lane national highway between Kadapa and Renigunta.

PTI