DPR on Kaziranga wildlife deaths approved: Road ministry tells NGT

Green panel directed the state government to file an affidavit stating the steps they would take with regard to DPR in a time bound manner

A detailed project report (DPR) of the Assam government on steps to curb growing wildlife casualties due to traffic movement on the National Highway-37 passing through the Kaziranga National Park has been approved, the Road Transport and Highways Ministry has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

The Ministry told a bench headed by the NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar that the approval was granted on August 9, after which the green panel directed the state government to file an affidavit stating the step they were going to take with regard to DPR in a time bound manner.

The bench will be hearing further on September 8.

The tribunal had earlier directed Assam government to expeditiously prepare a DPR and summoned its top officials including the concerned Secretary and Director of Kaziranga National Park to inform it about compliance of its earlier orders on the issue.

It had also directed the Union Ministry to take clear instructions as to whether or not it proposed to issue any draft notification in regard to Kaziranga Eco Sensitive Zone.

The Assam government had told the bench that DPR would be prepared in consultation with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun and the Director of Kaziranga park, which is home to the famous one-horned rhinos.

The NGT was hearing on a plea of environment activist Rohit Choudhury opposing expansion of NH-37 which passes from Jakhalabandha to Bokakhat through the Kaziranga Park.

It had earlier ordered demolition of roadside shops and eateries along the animal corridors near Kaziranga, among a slew of directions, in the wake of increasing wildlife casualties due to vehicular movement on the adjacent highway.

Gauhati High Court had, however, stayed the order on demolishing shops and dhabas located within 100 metres of NH-37.

The green panel had asked the state to ensure installation of sensor-operated automatic barriers at the animal corridors and ascertain whether speed-check cameras were in working condition or not.