Nagpur: Minister of Tourism and Environment Maharashtra, Aaditya Thackeray, has said that the ITwari-Nagbhid gauge conversion project cannot come true unless mitigation measures as suggested by the state forest department is implemented.
According to the source, from the total length of the project, the mitigation measures suggested by the department in the corridor of the critical wildlife sanctuary UMRED-KARHANDLA-PAONI and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is 28%, which is 10% more than the Wildlife Institute suggestion Of India (Wii), Dehradun.
The mitigation structure suggested by Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC) is not scientific and almost not 5%, said the source.
In Part II, while the Forestry Department suggested a single increase of 3.7 km in a critical corridor, the Wii gave three structural options 400, 500, and 700 meters.
During the discussion, PCCF (wildlife) reached a 3,700 meter increase structure.
Thackeray has raised the problem in the 17th board meeting for the Wildlife meeting (SBWL).
Thackeray told TOI that if all the conversion of the measure will occur, it will only be after applying mitigation measures as suggested by the Ministry of Forestry.
MrIDC, a joint venture of the state government and the train ministry at 50:50 sharing costs, is implementing a 116km project to transport coal trains and passengers too.
This project will not only increase the speed of the train four times than a narrow gauge, but the frequency will also rise.
When preparing a detailed project report, there is no provision for wildlife mitigation measures carried out even though the linear crore project RS1.400 cuts in a functional tiger corridor.
The situation Fait ACCOMPLI was created by starting to work in the corridor, thus violating the wildlife law (protection), 1972.
Costs tend to increase by RS250-300 Crore because of mitigation measures.
On October 12, TOI has reported how Mrid-reluctant officials took steps and through alleged political pressure received a five member committee founded by MoeFCC to review steps such as those suggested by the Wii, which has proposed seven structures of 3,550 km long With a size of 300 to 800 meters.
The committee consisting of representatives of PCCF (wildlife), representatives of NTCA & Wii, and digging (wildlife) conducted sites on October 8 and 9, where the violation was considered.
According to the rules, every time a development project appears in protected areas, tiger reserves or corridors, requires cleaning of wildlife from SBWL and the National Council for wildlife (NBWL).
PCCF (wildlife) Sunil Limaye has explained that MRIDC has started several jobs in the corridor area.
“Last year, even though the field officer we asked them to stop until the formal wildlife permit was given, the work continued.
I will look for factual reports from field officers,” Limaye said.
“Second, we have clearly told the user agent that any mitigation measures suggested by the Wii, we will go with it, because this is a vital tiger corridor and the area prone to human-tiger conflicts.
After permission with NBWL, the user’s body can be Take a job in the corridor area with recommended mitigation steps, “said Limaye.
SBWL Members Kundan Hate said, “At the meeting of 16 SBWL, cm, cm categorically said that the first check if the conversion of gauges from itwari-nagbhid trains is completely needed.
If necessary, make it increasing to protect the corridetic tiger corridor to the Tadoba landscape, cm Saying.
“The main objective of this project is to accelerate the movement of coal from the mine and reduce congestion on the existing route.
Itwari-Nagbhid-Chandrapur will be directly associated with the train network that exists through Umred to Wardha and Gondia.