Wildlife board clears Channaka-Korata barrage

Hyderabad: The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife has recommended the use of 213.48 hectares of non-forest land within notified eco-sensitive zone for Channaka-Korata (Rudha) barrage on Penganga River, an inter-State irrigation project in Adilabad district.

Since the project area was away from the sanctuary and part of the project falls within eco-sensitive zone, the committee suggested that the proposal may therefore be recommended.

After discussions, the committee during its meeting conducted a few days ago, recommended the proposal subject to certain conditions including implementation of mitigation measures suggested by a committee constituted as per the decision taken by the State Board for Wild Life, Maharashtra in its meeting dated January 31, 2018.

Use of heavy noise making machines should be minimal around sanctuary area and the labour working at construction of canal should not camp in sanctuary or nearby area and should not use any resource of sanctuary area.

Canal water be given to the Forest Department free of cost for the use of departmental purpose, if needed. To prevent mortality of ungulates, gaurs and other animals if they fall in the barrage, escape routes should be provided at periodic intervals.

As decided in the 8th meeting of State Board of Wildlife, the project proponent should deposit two per cent cost of the proposed project which passes through the notified ESZ with the Pench Tiger Conservation Foundation for habitat improvement of Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining forests.

An annual compliance certificate on stipulated conditions should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wild Life Warden, who, in turn, will submit it to the Central government.