HYDERABAD: The state forest department officials proposed diversion of 1,136 hectares or about 2,800 acres of prime forest area forming a part of the Tiger corridor between Tadoba Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana and Indravathi Tiger Reserve in Chattisgarh for the construction of Pranahita irrigation canal during the 44th meeting of standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife that was held on July 29.The officials proposed the diversions based on a few compensatory measures to be taken for loss of forest cover like construction of 16 eco-bridges and provision of drinking water in check dams. Besides this, officials also said that necessary measures will taken so that the wildlife will not be disturbed during construction of the canal.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority did not raise any objection to this.
The standing committee did not give an immediate go ahead to this plan and ordered the Wildlife Institute of India to form a team to visit the proposed area and submit a detailed report to the Ministry of Environment and Forests in two weeks.
Nod for diversion of 155 acres in Kinnerasani
The NBWL gave clearance for diversion of about 63 hectares of the forest land in the Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary for various projects to be taken up by the state government. Around 39 hectares have been diverted for laying of water pipeline, 10.5 hectares for construction of 400 KV Quad Moose Double Circuit line from Paloncha thermal power plant to Padamati Narasapuram sub-station and 13.5 hectares for laying of 400 KV QMDC line from Bhadadri thermal power plant near Manuguru to substation at Padamati Narsapuram.