Forest advisory panel puts Puri airport project on hold pending wildlife impact study
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Bhubaneswar: Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has directed Odisha govt to collaborate with Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for an evaluation of the possible impact of the proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport on local wildlife and the environment.
Until the WII study is complete and a detailed explanation with a mitigation plan is furnished by the govt, the FAC, under the Union forest ministry, will keep the project on hold, thus deferring clearance.
"The conservation measures and mitigation activities should be integrated into a site-specific wildlife conservation/management plan for the project. This should be approved by the chief wildlife warden before it is submitted to the MoEFCC," the advisory committee decision read.
The airport is proposed to be developed over a 471-hectare area at an estimated cost of Rs 5,631 crore. The forest land to be diverted, if clearance is received, spreads over 27.88 hectares.
"The govt, with WII's help, has been asked to justify the project, giving reasons that it won't invite climate eventualities," a forest department officer said.
The WII's study will focus on migratory bird routes and the possible impact on Olive Ridley turtles and Irrawaddy dolphins close to the airport site at Brahmagiri.
The FAC's directive followed concerns raised by the regional office of the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC). The FAC has also asked for a conservation and mitigation plan, requiring approval from the chief wildlife warden.
It also highlighted environmental concerns about the planned cutting of 13,000 trees currently serving as a bio-shield and coastal shelter.
Speaking about the development, a govt spokesperson said such steps are part of the standard protocol for large-scale infrastructure projects. "The commerce and transport department has already begun preparing the required mitigation measures in line with the FAC's recommendations and will submit the plan to secure stage-I clearance," the spokesperson said.
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