NGT says protection of wildlife cannot be ignored, asks tiger authority to modify action plan

National Green Tribunal has asked National Tiger Conservation Authority to modify its action plan to remove obstruction to tiger corridors due to new ro projects in Maharashtra, so that protection of wildlife does t take "unduly long time".

Making it clear that protection of wildlife cant be igred, tribunal asked NTCA to reduce action plan implementation period from proposed seven years to three years.

A bench heed by NGT Chairperson Justice arsh Kumar Goel said to ensure safety of animals, project proponents cant be allowed unduly long time.

It also said "plan will be binding on project proponents irrespective of ir consent and may be enforced by halting projects wherever necessary till suggested measures are duly opted."

NGT directed ditional Director General (Wildlife), MoEF, to file a fresh status report before April 15 by e-mail and posted matter for hearing on April 23.

tribunal h taken cognisance of a news report which claimed obstruction to tiger corridors by new ro projects in Maharashtra. news report said necessary steps and precautions in such ro projects for protection of environment and wildlife were lacking.

On issue of project expenditure, tribunal said it is t for NGT to comment on source of funding and this has to be worked out between Ministry of Ro Transport and Highways and Maharashtra government.

Ministry of Ro Transport h expressed its inability to fund any ditional expenditure over and above Rs 100.81 crore for proposed mitigation structures, agreed earlier, and requested Maharashtra government and Chief Wildlife Warden for funding expenditure towards mitigation measures proposed for two ros viz. Mul-Chandrapur and Bamni-Navegaon.