The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has rejected a proposal by the Navy seeking permission to testfire missiles on the premises of Tillanchong sanctuary in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The request has been rejected as the act would affect the habitat of megapodes, the large terrestrial birds inhabiting there.
At a programme held as part of wildlife week here on Friday, Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said the non-official members of the National Board of Wildlife had expressed serious concerns regarding proposal on Naval testfiring on the premises of Tillachong sanctuary. “I rejected the request seeking permission for testfire of missiles in the vicinity of Tillanchong sanctuary,” she said.
Jayanthi said she made a very difficult decision as it involved the Navy.
Speaking on wildlife protection, Jayanthi said the government would further make amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act “to protect the rights of inhabitants of forests where projects like mining are proposed.”
She assured of taking efforts to make wildlife corridors a legal entity. “Wildlife needs to be protected. The ministry is facing problems while trying to curb mining in wildlife corridors as it is not a legal entity,” she added.