राष्ट्रीय बोर्ड फॉर वाइल्डलाइफ की 5वीं बैठक की मिनट्स, 4 अक्टूबर, 2005 को 10:30 ए.एम. पर पर्यावरण भवन, नई दिल्ली में माननीय राज्य मंत्री (वन और वाइल्डलाइफ) के अध्यक्षता में

Minutes of the meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife held on 4th October, 2005 in the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The 5th meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) was held on 4th October, 2005 under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister for Environment and Forests. The list of Members of the Standing Committee who attended the meeting is at Annexure-I.

The Hon’ble Minister welcomed the participants and informed about the report of the Tiger Task Force on which various actions by the Ministry are being undertaken. He emphasized the need of keeping judicious balance between Development and concerns of Wildlife Conservation while deciding the proposals put up before the Standing Committee. He stressed the importance of Wildlife and urged the Members to be objective while giving their views.

The Member Secretary informed the Committee that Shri Ravi Singh of WWF- India was out of India and had sought leave of absence which was granted by the Chairperson.

At the outset, Shri S.C. Sharma desired that the Standing Committee should devote more time on various issues concerning Wildlife Conservation in the country, Wildlife Action Plan and also Report of Tiger Taskforce. This was also subsequently re- iterated by Ms Dilnavaz Variava. Hon’ble Minister for Environment and Forests agreed to the proposal and suggested to convene the next meeting shortly to discuss issues related to Wildlife Conservation only. The Member Secretary suggested that rather than entertaining all the proposals sent to the Standing Committee, only those proposals which are complete and have comments of State Wildlife Wardens should be discussed in the meeting and incomplete proposals should not be entertained. This suggestion was accepted unanimously.

The meeting thereafter was continued to discuss the agenda items as follow:

Agenda Item No.1: Confirmation of the Minutes of the meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife held on 6th April, 2005.

The Member Secretary informed that at per the procedure, the minutes of the last meeting were circulated to all the members. Comments from Shri Ravi Singh, Shri Darshan Shankar and Ms. Mita Banerjee were received. The points made by the members were relevant and suggestion made by them would be given due consideration in future action plans. The minutes of the meeting held on 6th April, 2005 were taken on record.

Agenda Item No.2:
Action taken report on the recommendation of the

Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife

held on 6thApril, 2005.

2(a) Denotification of Salim Ali City Forest National Park, Jammu and Kashmir.

The Committee discussed the compliance report submitted by the Government.
As per the compliance report, the State Government has agreed only to four recommendations, deferred three and did not approve one i.e. handing over Shankracharya Reserve to the Wildlife Department. Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K explained the stand of the Government. He informed that out of 8.85 sq. km. only 1.62 sq. km area of Salim Ali City Forest National Park has been denotified. The State Government was also willing to declare the area as Eco-sensitive Zone. However, the Committee decided to incorporate their objections for non-compliance of the recommendations of the inspecting committee by the State Government in their views to be submitted before the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

2 (4) Guidelines for diversions proposals.

The Committee unanimously decided to get the comments of all the Members on the draft guidelines. It was also decided to discuss the comments of the Members in the next meeting and to finalize the guidelines.

2 (5 ii) Diversion of Forest Land from Pakke Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh
(I.A. in CWP 2002/1995)

Member Secretary informed that a Sub Committee under the Chairmanship of ADG (WL) has been constituted with Shri S.C. Sharma and Chief Wildlife Warden, Arunachal Pradesh as Member. Shri S.C. Sharma showed his inability to be the Member of the Sub Committee as he has already given his report. He proposed the name of Mr. Ravi Singh in his place which was approved by the Committee unanimously. The Sub Committee after examining the issue with the Army would apprise the Standing Committee in its next meeting.

2 (5 iv) Diversion of 43.74 ha of Forest Land from Kanchendzonga National Park for construction of Toong-Chatten road by the Border Roads Organization (I.A. No. 788 in CWP 202/95)

The Chief Wildlife Warden of Sikkim was requested to submit comments at the earliest for the consideration of the Committee. He promised to do the needful.

2 (6 i) Diversion of 19.5 ha of Forest Land from Rajaji National Park for construction of charitable hospital by Raghavendra Sewashram Samiti

Two separate site inspection reports were submitted by Smt. Maya Singh, M.P. and Sh. Ravi Singh. Both the reports were placed before the Committee. A presentation was also made by the Chief Wildlife Warden, Uttaranchal, recommending the proposal.
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MINUTES OF STANDING COMMITTEE OF NBWL HELD ON 4th OCTOBER 2007

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Smt. Maya Singh in her report has recommended the proposal. On the other hand, report submitted by Shri Ravi Singh in this matter does not support the proposal. Since Shri Ravi Singh was not present in the meeting, it was decided to get the comments of Shri Ravi Singh on the report of Smt. Maya Singh and put up the same before the Hon’ble Chairman for his consideration and orders.

2 (4 i) Diversion of 5.68 ha of Forest Land from Mayureshwar Sanctuary for construction of Janai and Shirsai Lift Irrigation Scheme by the Irrigation Department (I.A. No. 36 & 57 in WP (c) No. 337 of 1995)

In this case inspection could not be carried out by Shri M.C. Malakar, CWLW, Assam and Ms. Dilnavaz Variava due to problems in paying TA Bill to official members. Since, it has been sorted out and the Ministry has decided to pay TA Bills to official members also, it was decided that the site inspection in this case should be done immediately and the inspection report may be placed before the Committee in the next meeting.

2 (4 iv) Diversion 0.010490 Sq. Kms. of Forest Land from Dhauladhar Sanctuary for the Lambadug Hydro Electric Project located in Sub Tehsil Multhan of Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh by Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board (I.A. No. 63 in WP (c) No. 337 of 1995)

In this case also Hon’ble Chairman desired to complete the inspection at the earliest and submit the report for the consideration of the Committee in the next meeting.

2 (4 v) De-reservation of 4.56 of Forest Land from Pench National Park and Tiger Reserve for the joining of Totladoh Dam Reservoir to Nallah through a Tunnel (I.A. No. 66 in WP (c) No. 337 of 1995)

The comments of the Chief Wildlife Warden which was received on 4th 

October, 2005 only was circulated among the Members. Chief Wildlife Warden, Maharashtra who was present in the meeting was requested to elaborate his views. Chief Wildlife Warden informed that the project may not be congenial for the Wildlife as it may cause barrier for free movement of animals in the area as well as other disturbances. After discussion, the Committee decided that the proposed project site should be inspected by Shri Darshan Shankar and Director, WII, Dehradun. The inspection report should be put up for the consideration of the Committee.

2 (4 viii) Diversion of 11 kms of Forest Land from Ambaji Sanctuary for laying water pipeline for providing drinking water by Irrigation Department

The Committee recommended the proposal after discussing the inspection report given by Shri Darshan Shankar and Ms. Mita Banerjee with the rider that conditions stipulated in the report to be complied by the State Government. The recommendations are annexed at Annexure – II.

4 2 (4 xi) Diversion of Forest Land from National Chambal Sanctuary, Rajasthan for construction of 4 lane Kota by-pass by National Authority of India

The Committee was informed that comments from the Chief Wildlife Warden, Rajasthan, have been received recently and site inspection would be carried out shortly. The site inspection report would be put up in the next meeting for the consideration of the Committee.

2 (4 xii) Diversion of Forest Land from Buxa Tiger Reserve, Mahananda Sanctuary and Jaldapara Sanctuary, West Bengal for construction of 4 lane highway from Islampur to Assam Border of the East West Corridor involving NH-3 and NH-31 C by National Highway Authority of India

The Committee was informed by Shri R.K. Sharma representing National Highway Authority (Project Proponent) that they were realigning the highway in such a way so as to avoid any area of Sanctuary/National Park. Hence, there was no need to consider their earlier proposal. The Committee welcomed the move of NHAI.

2 (4 xiii) Diversion of Forest Land from Jambughoda Sanctuary, Gujarat for construction of approach road Babada Kuva-Mota rasaka-Lambhiya and Hanuman in Vadodra District

  The Committee after discussing the inspection report submitted by Shri 

Darshan Shankar and Ms. Mita Banerjee recommended the project with the conditions that necessary safeguards for keeping the speed of running vehicles low / limited have to be incorporated by the Project Proponents. The State Wildlife Department would ensure the compliance. The conditions are annexed at Annexure – III.

2 (4 xiv) Diversion of Forest Land from Maldhok Bird Sanctuary, Maharashtra for construction of Belwandi Kothar Minor Irrigation by Irrigation Department

               The Committee discussed the inspection report submitted by Ms. Dilnavaz 

Variava on the project and recommended the proposal subject to the condition that all the suggestions made in the inspection report to be complied by the State Government / Project Proponents. The recommendations are annexed at Annexure – IV.

2 (4 xvi) Diversion of 2.5720 ha of Forest Land from Matheran Eco-sensitive Zone, Maharashtra for carrying inhabitants of Matheran, Consumables goods and other people speedily to Matheran by Matheran Rope Way Pvt. Ltd.

In this case, the site was to be inspected by P.C.C.F. and CWLW, Karnataka along with Ms. D. Variava. But due to inability of Ms. Variava to inspect the site, P.C.C.F, Karnataka inspected the site alongwith Ms. Mita Banerjee, RDD, Western Region. The Committee discussed the report and unanimously decided to recommend the project alongwith the stipulations made in the report.

5 2 (4 xvii) Diversion of 84 ha of Forest Land from Nagarjun Sagar Tiger Reserve, Andhra Pradesh for construction of Srisalam Left Bank Hydro Electric Scheme by Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation

   The Chairman desired that the site should be inspected at the earliest and the 

inspection report should be put up before the Committee in the next meeting.

2 (4 xix) De-reservation of Forest Land from Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka for the construction of Hogenekal Hydro Electric Power Project by National Hydro Electric Power Corporation Ltd

     After discussing the comments of Government of Tamil Nadu in this case, 

the Committee unanimously decided that a three member team should inspect the site and submit their report to the Committee. Smt. Maya Singh, Shri Darshan Shankar and Shri R.B. Lal (IG, WL) would carry out the inspection.

2 (4 xx) De-reservation of Forest Land from Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala for conducting reconnaissance survey and trial boring for construction of 4 lane road tunnel at 252/0 to 254/0 km of National Highway 47 in Thrissur District

    Chief Wildlife Warden, Kerala informed the Committee that the proposal 

was not in any way detrimental to Wildlife Conservation in the area and recommended the project. The Committee after deliberations recommended the project.

2 (4 xxi) Diversion of 12.675 ha of Forest Land from Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala for upgrading solid waste management system, waste water treatment, improvement of trekking routes, construction of que complex, toilet and bathroom facilities

    The Committee decided that the State Government should be informed to 

ensure the future activities in the area should be in accordance of the master plan and with proper mechanism for solid waste disposals.

2 (4 xxii) Rationalizing the Boundaries of Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary.

  Chief Wildlife Warden, Gujarat made a presentation of redrawing the 

Boundaries of the Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary. In this connection, Member Secretary informed the Committee that Ministry was constituting a Committee to consider the rationalization of Boundaries of Protected Areas in the country. Since the present proposal deals with redrawing the Boundaries of the Protected Area, it should be referred to the same Committee. It was accepted unanimously.

6 Agenda Item No. 3: Fresh proposal for diversion/non-forestry use/denotification of National Park/Sanctuary received for consideration by the Standing Committee.

3 (ii) I. A. in W.P. (C) No. 202 of 1995 & 171 of 1996: Construction of Hydel Projects across the river Barapole within Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Kodagu District of Karnataka and Kanoor District of Kerala

The Committee desired that the State Government be requested to expedite their comments on the project enabling the Committee to take further necessary action.

3 (iii) I.A. of 2005 in W.P. (C) No. 2002 of 2005: De-reservation of 13.70 ha of forest land under Govind Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary of Naitwad Service Motor Road from 6 to 32 Kms.

The Committee desired that the State Government be requested to expedite their comments on the project enabling the Committee to take further necessary action.

3 (iv) I.A. No. 74 in W.P. (C) No. 337 of 1995: De-reserve the forest land for rehabilitation of rural oustees under Tehari Dam Project Rehabilitation Scheme.

The Committee desired that the State Government be requested to expedite their comments on the project enabling the Committee to take further necessary action.

3 (v) I.A. No. 75 in W.P. (C) No. 337 of 1995: De-reservation of the land comprised in the forest villages situated in the State of Chhatisgarh for conversion of forest villages into revenue villages.

The Committee unanimously decided to refer this proposal to the Committee for rationalization of Boundaries of Protected Areas.

3 (vi) I.A. No. 77 in W.P. (C) No. 337 of 1995: Permission for transfer of 3.40 ha reserve forest land situated in Askot Wildlife Sanctuary on lease basis for the purpose of laying 0.60 M pipeline

The Committee desired that the State Government be requested to expedite their comments on the project enabling the Committee to take further necessary action.

7 3 (vii) I.A. No. 1029/2004 in W.P. (C) No. 202 of 1995: Diversion of 78.165 ha of forest land from Pangolkha Wildlife Sanctuary, Sikkim for construction of road by the army

The Committee desired that the State Government be requested to expedite their comments on the project enabling the Committee to take further necessary action.

3 (viii) Exclusion of land from limits of Pachamari Sanctuary after the settlement proceedings by Collector, Hoshangabad

Chief Wildlife Warden, Madhya Pradesh made a presentation and requested the Committee to approve the proposal. He also emphasized the need of approval for eliciting the support of local people for wildlife conservation. Since the final notification in the present case was yet to be issued, the Committee unanimously recommended the proposal alongwith the stipulation that in the excluded cantonment and SADA/Nazul area no grassland or tree cover would be altered by the controlling agencies. Any further action by the State Government in this regard will be in accordance with Wildlife (Protection) Act and directions issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

3 (ix) Diversion of 39.50 ha from Pachmari Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh for construction of feeder channel in Dokri Kheda Medium tank from Denwa river

Chief Wildlife Warden, Madhya Pradesh has informed that the proposal has been withdrawn.

3 (x) Permission for carrying out survey for drinking and irrigation water facilities for the villagers of the village Bagadh Dhaviya on the bank of Son River (Son Ghadial Sanctuary)

Considering the recommendation of Chief Wildlife Warden, the Committee recommended the proposal.

3 (xi) Diversion of 0.0604 ha of forest land falling in National Ghariyal Sanctuary, at Kota for laying pipeline from Chambal river to Titanium Dioxide Plants of M/s Agarwal Pigments Pvt. Ltd. near village Shambhu Pura, Tehsil Ladpura, Kota

Considering the polluting nature of pigment industry, the Committee rejected the proposal.

3 (xii) Diversion of 0.20 ha of forest land for the installation of Stone Crusher Forest Division Dalhousie, District Chamba, Himachal Pradesh

The Committee rejected the proposal.

8 3 (xiii) Construction of Minor Bridges at KM 112/4, 113/2, 114/2, 115/4, 116/8, 6/2,
1/10 and 109/8 in Hoshangabad-Pipariya-Panchamarhi road involving Satpura National Park

Chief Wildlife Warden informed the Committee that the proposed bridges were not new and their re-construction would not cause any negative impact on the wildlife habitat.

Since the proposal of State Government / Bridge Corporation to reconstruct culverts and do pave shouldering on the road within the existing land in possession of State PWD and does not involve any fresh diversion of land, the Committee recommended the proposal. The permission for tree felling required for temporary diversion during culvert construction should be separately obtained under Forest Conservation Act, 1980.

3 (xiv) Diversion / denotification of 0.594 ha of forest land of Sohgi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary and felling of 154 trees for the construction of a bridge and roadway over Rohin River Chanki Ghat in Janpat Maharganj

After considering the recommendation of Chief Wildlife Warden, Uttar Pradesh and the fact that construction of bridge would not cause any adverse impact on the wildlife habitat, the Committee recommended the proposal.

3 (xv) Exchange 2.23 ha land in Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park, Hoshangabad

Chief Wildlife Warden, Andhra Pradesh apprised the Committee that the proposal of land to land exchange would be beneficial for the Park. As a result of the proposed land exchange honey combing of forest land with that of private land of HEH Nizam would come to an end and there would be contiguous patch of forest land. Considering these facts the Committee recommended the proposal.

3 (xvi) Re-alignment of the Boundaries of Govind National Park in Uttaranchal

Since the proposal is about changing the Boundaries of the Protected Area, the Committee decided to refer it to the proposed Committee on Rationalization of Boundaries of Protected Areas.

3 (xvii) Construction of a bridge over Son River near village Odhni involving Son
Ghariyal Sanctuary

Since the construction of bridge doest not affect the forest / water habitat of the Sanctuary and the project has been recommended by Chief Wildlife Warden, the Committee recommended the proposal as submitted by the State Government.

9 3 (xviii) De-reservation of 12.75 ha of already broken Forest Land from Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Orissa for Mining by T.P. Minerals

    The Project Proponent i.e. M/s T.P. Minerals explained the project details to 

the Members. It involves mining of high class graphite. After deliberations in the Committee decided that the site should be inspected by Ms. Dilnavaz Variava and Shri Sushant Chaudhary from WII, Dehradun and the report may be put up in the next meeting.

Supplementary Agenda Items:

Constituting an Expert Committee to assist the Kerala Forest Department (KFD) to formulate a proposal for “Rationalization of PA Network in Kerala” (proposed by Shri Darshan Shankar).

Since the Committee for the rationalization of Boundaries of Protected Areas is being formed, the Committee decided to refer this subject to that Committee.

Discussion on various points related to Wildlife Conservation in the country and Wildlife Action (proposed by Shri Ravi Singh)

Since Shri Ravi Singh was not present in the meeting, it was decided to discuss these points in the next meeting. Ms. Dilnavaz Variava also emphasized the need to discuss Wildlife Action Plan and other concerns related to Wildlife Conservation in the country. It was decided that a separate meeting to discuss these matters would be held in the near future.

Construction of a bridge over Son River on Buthwa Sarya Rima Road involving Son Ghariyal Sanctuary in the District Satna.

Since the construction of a bridge was not going to disturb the wildlife habitat and the conservation of crocodiles in the river and Chief Wildlife Warden has also recommended the proposal, the Committee recommended the proposal.

Diversion of land in the Hipora Wildlife Sanctuary in Jammu and Kashmir for the revival of Mughal Road (this proposal is included in the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme of J & K).

Chief Wildlife Warden, J & K briefed the Committee about the proposal Considering that important Schedule-I species like Markhor etc. are found in the area, the Committee decided that an inspection should be carried out by Shri Darshan Shankar and Shri B. Majumdar, Chief Wildlife Warden, Maharashtra. They should submit a detailed inspection report before the Committee after which appropriate decision would be taken.

10 5. Diversion of Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary area of 600.72 ha of the total forests area 1965.052 ha proposed for Durgawati Reservoir Project.

The Committee, after discussion, decided that an expert team comprising of Regional CCF, Bhubneshwar, Sh Ravi Singh and Sh. M.C Malakar, Chief Wildlife Warden, Assam would conduct site inspection and place a report before the Standing Committee.

Exclusion of river from the Sanctuary limits, Assam.

The Committee decided to refer the proposal to the Committee on Rationalization of Boundaries of Protected Areas.

The meeting ended with the vote of thanks from the Chairman.

ANNEXURE-I

     LIST OF PARTICIPANTS WHO ATTENDED THE 6TH MEETING OF 

STANDING COMMITTEE OF NATIONAL BOARD OF WILDLIFE, NEW DELHI HELD ON 20.01.2006

1 Thiru A. Raja, Hon’ble Minister of Environment & Forests

 Chairman 

2 Shri N.N. Meena, Hon’ble Minister of State, Environment & Forests

3 Shri Ravi Singh Member

4 Ms. Dilnavaz Variava Member

5 Shri Darshan Shankar Member

6

Shri M.C. Malakar, Chief Wildlife Warden, Assam

Shri S. C. Sharma Member

 Member 

7 Shri A.K. Verma, PCCF & Chief Wildlife Warden, Karnataka

Member 

8 Shri R.P. S. Katwal, Additional Director General of Forests (WL) and Director, Wildlife Preservation

Member Secretary 

9 Officials from Ministry of Environment & Forests

i) Shri R.B. Lal, IGF (WL) ii) Dr. Anmol Kumar, DIG (WL)

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