NBWL clears core forest land in Namdapha for Arunachal Frontier Highway

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: In a significant yet controversial move, the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has granted approval to divert 310 hectares of core forest land from the Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh for the construction of the strategic Arunachal Frontier Highway (NH-913), despite concerns over its environmental and wildlife impacts. The approved land, located in Changlang district of the northeastern state, is part of a crucial stretch intended to link NH-215 near Kharsang to the Miao-Gandhigram-Vijaynagar road, close to the India-Myanmar border.

The Arunachal Pradesh PWD had sought 248.79 hectares for road widening and an additional 61.21 hectares for muck disposal.

During the NBWL meeting held last month, committee members H S Singh and R Sukumar, along with the state's Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW), raised red flags over the potential felling of approximately 1.55 lakh trees and the lack of a scientifically robust plan for mitigating impacts on wildlife.

Particular concern was voiced about the absence of proper underpasses and overpasses to allow safe animal movement across the highway. While Sukumar acknowledged the strategic significance of the highway, he criticised the use of standard PWD culvert designs, calling them inadequate for ensuring wildlife safety. He also questioned the need for such an extensive road widening.

Also Read: Curfew in Arunachal’s Roing Town after Assam Migrant Worker Lynched

Also Watch: