Proposed underwater tunnel to positively impact Kaziranga National Park

A CORRESPONDENT

BOKAKHAT: The permanent committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) gave a green signal for the construction of an underwater tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra river connecting Gohpur and Numaligarh. Environmentalist Apurba Ballav Goswami stated that this tunnel project is expected to have a positive impact on wildlife conservation efforts in Kaziranga National Park.

However, the wildlife board also imposed several conditions. It has sought scientific assessments on issues such as soil stability, groundwater flow, sediment dynamics, and potential seismic impacts in the region. It has also mandated that there should be no adverse effect on wildlife habitats in the surrounding and adjoining areas of the project site.

The board directed the implementing agency, NHIDCL (National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited), to deposit funds into the account of the Chief Wildlife Warden of Assam. Moreover, it said that a scientific management and mitigation plan must be developed to minimize human-wildlife conflict and ensure effective conservation.

The project will require approximately 13.77 hectares of forest land in the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve corridor in Golaghat district, and 61.5028 hectares of non-forest land in the eco-sensitive zone of the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve in Sonitpur district for the construction of the four-lane tunnel.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) also recommended conditional approval for this proposal. NBWL outlined specific conditions including minimizing tree felling, proper management of excavation debris and water, and ensuring zero discharge into the Brahmaputra river.

It also advised the use of noise-reducing measures, dust control systems, and strict regulation on the use of explosives and heavy machinery to reduce noise and vibrations in the tunnel construction zone.

Before final approval is granted, a site inspection team will be formed comprising Dr R Sukumar (member, NBWL), representatives from the Ministry of Environment, and the State Forest Department.

Notably, in the interest of Kaziranga National Park, environmentalist Apurba Ballav Goswami had submitted two memoranda to India’s Minister of Road Transport, Nitin Gadkari, one on November 17, 2021 and another on July 22, 2022, through the then Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat district, Mrigesh Narayan Barua, urging for the immediate construction of either a bridge or a tunnel across the Brahmaputra between Numaligarh and Gohpur.

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