The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), in their affidavit to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the NH7 widening case, made no mention of the mitigation measures suggested by Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to facilitate tiger movement. The NTCA had been asked to reply to a petition filed by SrushtriParyavaran Mandal, who have prayed for quashing of the NH7 widening as it will cut through the critical Pench-Kanha tiger corridor.
The omission of mitigating measures from NTCA's affidavit is glaring, as a lot of controversy has brewed over the environment ministry's and National Highway Authority reluctance to adopt extensive mitigating measures. The WII had suggested construction of 1km long elevated road and 750m long underpasses to ensure smooth movement of tigers across NH7, in what is one of the best tiger habitats in the country
In their four-page affidavit to the NGT bench chaired by Swatanter Kumar, NTCA has admitted that the Pench-Kanha corridor landscape is one of the best that exists with two source populations.
But during the hearing, senior counsel Pinka Mishra who was representing NHAI, attempted to show the bench that the tiger corridors are not in the purview of notified protected areas. To this, the bench asked NTCA member secretary BS Bonal, if there is evidence of tiger movement. Bonal replied in affirmative. To this, the bench asked him if they had approved any mitigation plans, and Bonal once again replied in affirmative. But, contrary to Bonal's claims, the NTCA has not approved or finalised any mitigation plan and a proposal is pending with the chief wildlife warden of Maharashtra forest department, sources confirmed.
Also, counsel for SrushtiParyavaran Mandal advocate Ritwick Dutta highlighted that despite Bonal's affirmative reply, NTCA's affidavit made no mention of the mitigation plan.
Curiously, in contradiction to the NHAI's stand up till now of building only underpasses of 50m, senior counsel Pinaki Mishra, while replying to Dutta's charge that mitigation measures have not been accepted, said, "NHAI is willing to build 750 metres long underpasses for animals. Dutta also added later, that rather than the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and NTCA, it is the NHAI who is suggesting mitigation measures. The
The NGT, after being informed that Nagpur high court has allowed felling of trees in an order this week, has said that it will not give up its powes and the interim order, staying tree felling stays. The bench has fixed the next hearing for August 5.
