Worried over indiscriminate development of roads, railway lines and power transmission lines in protected areas (PAs), which has not only destroyed pristine habitat but also affected the survival of wildlife, the Centre will come out with standard guidelines for taking up such projects. In view of fragmentation of corridors, disappearance of species and increasing road kills, the Centre has released draft guidelines for mitigation measures to be adopted when linear infrastructure development projects are proposed in PAs. Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, has formulated a guidance document on the eco-friendly measures to be adopted for implementation of infrastructure projects in PAs. The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has called for suggestions on the guidelines before November 7. As per WII draft guidelines, the aim is to promote green infrastructure that facilitate economic growth and protects biodiversity and ecosystem functions. The road and rail agencies have to work with conservation agencies to maximise the opportunities provided by transportation and power line projects. It is estimated that 200 elephants died after being hit by trains in the last 25 years in India. Further, tiger and elephant landscapes have become fragmented by roads, rail lines and other infrastructure including power lines and canals. The guidelines outline why is it important to consider biodiversity in linear infrastructure planning and design. With only 21.34 per cent forest cover in India and PAs an abysmal five per cent (103 national parks, 536 wildlife sanctuaries, 67 conservation reservation and 26 community reserves), most of the wildlife is outside this. Therefore, areas adjoining PAs play a significant role in conservation. Presently, in Karnataka, roads, railway lines and power lines are cutting across Bandipur National Park (NH 67 and 212), Kali Tiger Reserve (12 roads including national and state highways) and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary among others. Green Infrastructure Principles The draft guidelines make it clear that there are regulatory procedures for environmental clearances of infrastructure projects. This includes the EIA notification, 1994, and amendments, Forest Conservation Act, 1980, Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Even the administrative arrangements made for appraisal of EIA reports and decision making has been outlined. Infrastructure needs The government has approved development of 1,177 kms of national highways and 4,276 kms of state roads in left wing extremism areas with an investment of Rs 7,300 crore. With railways having a network of 64,000 route kms, they are planning to add another 25,000 kms by 2020. With 90,317 circuit kms of power lines passing through forest areas, there are plans to add another 90,000 ckms in the country. Concessions to railways The provisions of the EIA notification, 1994 and 2006, do not apply to railway projects. However, the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act are applicable to railway projects routed through forest land. Impact on wildlife *Loss of habitat and fragmentation *Break canopy connectivity to arboreal animals *Noise induced psychological and behavioural changes *Headlight glare on wildlife *Electrocution by sagging power lines *Avoidance of habitats close to infrastructure *High injuries and mortalities *Increased man-animal conflicts
New Indian Express. 2016