SRINAGAR,
SEPTEMBER 20: Advisor to Governor, K Vijay Kumar chaired the 13th meeting
of Standing Committee of State Board for Wildlife, here today.
The meeting was
attended by Commissioner Secretary Forests, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, IG HQs Anand
Jain, PCCF Suresh Chugh, Chief Engineer NHPC Dr A K Tripathi, Chairman PCB Ravi
Kesar, Former IAS Dr M K Ranjit Singh Jhala, other members of the board and
concerned officers.
The meeting began
with the discussion on Action Taken Report of 12th meeting of
Standing Committee of State Board for Wildlife.
Various proposals
were presented before the committee for consideration and approval, which
includes permission for laying of pipes and construction of RCC 20,000 gallons
capacity water tank at Khari Khurd under WSS Kangrail, underground laying of
Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) for 4G Network Leh-Ladakh by M/s Vindhya Telelinks
Limited, clearance of Tral Lift Irrigation Scheme in Pulwama, proposal for
Wildlife clearance for construction/laying of 132 kv barn Canal Transmission
Line passing through Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary, clearance of establishment of
new BOP Company post at Lukung in Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary,
clearance for establishment of cement manufacturing unit by M/s Jhelum Cements
in Eco Sensitive Zone of Dachigam, proposal for issuance of NOC for
construction of Bursar Hydroelectric Power Project falling within a distance of
10 kms from the boundaries of Kishtwar High Altitude National Park and
enhancement of compensation/ex-gratia relief for loss of life and damage to
crops/property by wild animals and others.
The meeting held
threadbare discussions on the proposals presented before the Board. Members of
the Board also presented inputs/suggestions for ensuring the preservation of
wildlife in the state.
It was suggested
in the meeting that for diverting the forest land for execution of the
projects, some other patch of land must be provided to the wildlife department
which can be made a protected area.
Addressing the
meeting, the Advisor said that looking at the size of the protected area in the
State, concerted efforts need to be taken to preserve it and protect the
wildlife. The department must ensure that there will be no threat to eco-system
and to the wildlife while providing the protected/forest land for the
developmental and other important projects.
He also asked the
officers of ITBP having access to the protected areas to play pro-active role
in wildlife preservation. There should be no disturbance to ecology while
utilizing these protected areas in the state, the Advisor maintained.
The Advisor asked the Commissioner Secretary Forests to study the
suggestions/inputs made by the members and officers during the deliberations so
that they can be incorporated for ensuring strong wildlife preservation
mechanism.
