The Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) has recommended approval for an Adani Power transmission project that could require the removal of 5,152 trees within a tiger corridor connecting several wildlife reserves. The decision comes amid protests over the proposed cutting of more than 32,000 trees in Karjat for a hydroelectric project.
The proposal involves allocating 136 hectares of land for a 400-kV transmission line linking Raipur in Chhattisgarh with Tiroda in Maharashtra’s Gondia district, where Adani Power operates a 3,300-MW thermal power plant.
Of the 5,152 trees identified for removal, 3,244 measure less than 60 cm in diameter, while 1,908 exceed that size. The company has been directed to deposit Rs 4.47 crore with the forest department for mitigation measures.
Chief wildlife warden M Sreenivas Reddy confirmed that the proposal had been forwarded to the Centre with certain conditions. Adani Energy spokesperson Rabin Ghosh declined to comment.
According to the Central Electricity Authority’s National Electricity Plan, the project is expected to ensure a dependable, long-term supply of 1,600 MW of thermal electricity to Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited.
The wildlife board also recommended other projects affecting ecologically sensitive areas, including infrastructure work in the Painganga Wildlife Reserve tiger corridor that could involve cutting 71 trees. A manganese mining proposal in Bhandara district would require 70.05 hectares of forest land and 80.85 hectares of private land. Officials reportedly said underground excavation would avoid tree felling.
Environmental concerns were raised by Chandrapur-based activist Bandu Dhotre, who said, “Tiger corridors are important for tigers. The population of tigers in Vidarbha is increasing. They need to migrate from one place to another and the tiger corridor must be protected at all costs.”
Alongside these clearances, the board approved conservation measures, including expanding Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary, incorporating 588.767 hectares from six villages, establishing 14 conservation reserves across seven districts, and designating parts of Koka and Jayakwadi sanctuaries as critical wildlife habitats.
Source: Hindustan Times
