Hero Image

No train via Melghat: CM's final stamp

Nagpur: The 15th Maharashtra wildlife board meeting, chaired by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, on Friday unanimously rejected the upgradation proposal of railway line through Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) in Amravati district and also ordered the setting up of an expert committee to consider translocation of 50 tigers from Chandrapur district.

He also rejected the neutering proposal of tigers saying it should be the last resort.

Also, Kanhargaon in Chandrapur district is set to be the 62nd protected area in the state. According to sources who attended the meeting, Thackeray also showed keenness to declare Mogarkasa, near Ramtek, a conservation reserve. He has sought proposals to declare more protected areas (sanctuaries, reserves and parks).

The board members hailed Thackeray for his bold decision to refuse railways permission for broadening a metre gauge line through MTR. Overwhelmed by the drone photography of the tiger reserve showing the railway line and forest, the CM asked officials to submit aerial pictures as evidence while submitting proposals.

“For me development doesn’t mean only constructions. The government is committed to protect forest and wildlife. Officials should study whether proposals match with public demand. No easy ways should be found to divert forest land at the cost of environment. This is why I decided to reject railway line upgradation between Akot and Khandwa through MTR,” Thackeray is learnt to have said.

With this, the state has closed the chapter on the issue and the railways will have to look at the optional route outside the reserve.

At Friday’s meeting, Kanhargaon was to be declared a conservation reserve. But board members Kishor Rithe and Bandu Dhotre opposed it as during the 14th meeting held on December 6, 2018, the plan to make Kanhargaon a sanctuary had in-principle nod. “The opposition to sanctuary by people was stage-managed by FDCM as major area belongs to the corporation,” they stated.

The Kanhargaon sanctuary proposal includes 24,862 hectare (248.62sqkm) area of FDCM and 1,638 hectares (16.38sqkm) hectare area of territorial forest under the Central Chanda division. Both combined, it makes a 265sqkm sanctuary with no villages inside it.

To the opposition remarks by officials, CM said, “Do we ask tigers when we divert their areas for projects? Forest officials should prepare such proposals with a positive mind. They should tell people about the benefits.”

On the translocation (50) and neutering (20) of tigers issue — first reported by TOI in May — Thackeray suggested to study steps being taken in others states. “A national meet should be held and expert views sought,” he added.

Debi Goenka, who represented BNHS, said, “I’m overwhelmed the manner in which CM supported the forest and wildlife issues. He gave a patient hearing to all proposals.”

GREEN CM, GREEN DECISIONS

* Angria Bank in Konkan coast declared as a “designated area” for marine protection under territorial waters

* 5-year recovery programme for Arabian Sea Humpback Whales in Indian waters

* Sonneratia alba (white chhipi) declared state mangrove tree

* Kanhargaon in Chandrapur district to be declared as wildlife sanctuary

* Translocation of tigers from Chandrapur only on scientific basis

* No neutering of tigers

* Mogarkasa forest to be declared as conservation reserve

* Railway line upgradation between Akot-Khandwa through Melghat rejected

READ ON APP