Wildlife board shoots down ethanol plant near tiger corridor
Promoted by Aithanoli Cibus Products, the 38-acre project site lies just 30 metres from the reserve forest (Asifabad Range, Garlapet block) and 64 metres from the eastern forest boundary (Gondi beat of Kagaznagar Range, Garlapet Extension IV). Although the land is technically revenue terrain outside notified forest area, it abuts the Kagaznagar forest division, a landscape increasingly recognised for tiger movement and breeding.
Forest officials underlined the risks, pointing out that the corridor is regularly used by leopards and tigers. "The project is located very close to the tiger corridor and uses a lot of water and also discharges effluents and poses a threat to tigers and other wildlife," an official said.
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Villagers from surrounding hamlets opposed the proposal, warning that it could irreversibly damage the biodiversity and jeopardise forest-based livelihoods.
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The divisional forest officer of Asifabad also declined to recommend the project.
Importantly, even though the company managed to secure environmental clearance and forest clearance, the project still requires mandatory wildlife approval under section 38(I)(g) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 — applicable to all projects in or near tiger reserves and wildlife corridors.
6 other projects get nod
The board, which met on Monday, however, approved six other proposals.
Four involved laying of optical fibre cables (OFCs). A forest official clarified: "Wherever there is already an existing right of way, we have cleared the proposals for OFCs. When there is no right of way, we have cleared but forwarded to the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) for further clearance."
Additionally, the board okayed the improvement of an existing road in the Pakal Wildlife Sanctuary in Mahabubabad district and gave in-principle approval for setting up a hospital on two acres inside the sanctuary, the latter subject to clearance by the NBWL.
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