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Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Violations rampant in Sultanpur park buffer zone, wildlife board rejects nod to projects
Gurgaon: Citing repeated regulatory violations and inaction by Haryana govt, the standing committee of National Board for Wildlife has declined approval to three infrastructure projects proposed within the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of Sultanpur National Park, which is also a Ramsar site. The minutes of the standing committee meeting on May 9 were uploaded on Friday. These three affordable housing projects are being constructed between 4 and 4.4 km within the ESZ. The projects are situated in the notified ESZ of Sultanpur National Park, a protected area known for its biodiversity and international recognition as a wetland of global importance. The committee has flagged 78 instances of violations within the ESZ. The report underscored the degradation of Sultanpur Jheel, overdependence on the Gurgaon canal for water supply, invasion by non-native species and unchecked construction activity as growing threats to the park's fragile wetland ecosystem. Asked about illegal structures coming up so close to the park, a wildlife department official said, "We have already submitted a list of 32 violations in the eco-sensitive zone. The department of town and country planning will take action." On Dec 19, 2023, the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) had constituted a site inspection team following concerns over unapproved construction activity. The inspection, carried out on Jan 23, 2024, revealed that the user agencies initiated construction work without prior clearance. This led to the constitution of a high-level committee chaired by the inspector general of forests (wildlife) to assess cumulative environmental impacts and identify no-development zones around the park. On May 9, the committee decided the state must act on the panel's recommendations and report back, withholding approval for the projects. "The standing committee therefore decided that the state govt shall take action on the recommendations of the committee constituted under the chairmanship of inspector general of forests (wildlife) and against the violations noted by the committee and forward the action taken report to the ministry," the minutes of the May 9 meeting said. Despite repeated communications from the ministry, Haryana govt failed to provide an action taken report (ATR) on the violations, prompting the standing committee to take a firm stance during its 79th meeting. It ruled against the pending proposals and mandated the state govt to act on the committee's recommendations, initiate legal and regulatory proceedings against violators and submit a comprehensive ATR. The regional office has been tasked with monitoring the enforcement process and reporting to the ministry on a monthly basis. The decision also aligns with a directive of Punjab and Haryana high court in CWP-3563-2023 (OM), which ordered the standing committee to conclude its deliberations within three months while ensuring a fair hearing to project proponents. Speaking during the meeting, director general of forests Sushil Kumar Awasthi emphasised the critical role of hydrology in sustaining the region's biodiversity. Committee member Dr HS Singh highlighted the need for ecological restoration of floodplains and tank beds. Echoing these sentiments, standing committee chairman Bhupender Yadav stressed that wetlands are equally vital as forests, serving as key carbon sinks and biodiversity reservoirs. The committee concluded that the Sultanpur National Park is one of the most significant biodiversity areas adjoining Gurgaon. The report highlighted that maintenance of the biodiversity and ecosystem service values of the national park is crucial for the ecological and economic security of the region, as well as a contribution to the maintenance of global biodiversity (for which the park has been designated as a Wetland of International Importance).
Time of India
10-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Centre clears relocation of big cats; cooler weather awaited
1 2 3 Jaipur: With all paperwork finalised and formal permission granted under Section 12 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, on March 25, the state forest department is now awaiting the end of summer to begin the long-awaited interstate translocation of tigers to Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) and Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR).According to the order issued by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC), a copy of which is with TOI, the approval clears the way for relocating three female tigers from Madhya Pradesh. Two of them will be sent to RVTR and one to MHTR. This clearance follows a proposal submitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh seeking permission to capture and translocate ten tigers—two males and eight females—from tiger reserves of Kanha, Pench and Bandhavgarh to Rajasthan, Odisha and Chhattisgarh."Since translocation exercises are typically avoided during periods of extreme heat to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the animals, we are preparing to initiate the process as soon as weather conditions become favourable. Until then, necessary arrangements at these reserves are being made," said a senior forest department Rajasthan, the nod from MoEFCC marks a significant step forward. While RVTR is a newly designated tiger reserve awaiting its first big cats from another landscape to improve genetic diversity, MHTR has faced setbacks in previous reintroduction efforts. Both forest department officials and conservationists hope this initiative will mark a turning point in the revival of these however, alleged that despite the permission being granted, some senior officials are creating obstacles due to internal conflicts over credit. Tapeshwar Singh Bhati, a green activist, said, "Permission was received on March 25, but not much was done on the ground. Moreover, a senior official wrote that the prey base in MHTR is insufficient, which appears to be a deliberate attempt to delay the process."The Chief Wildlife Warden has been instructed to submit regular quarterly reports to the ministry. Reports from earlier studies that previously received the ministry's approval must also be submitted before seeking further translocation permissions."The ministry has also made it clear that in the event of any mishap that endangers the safety of the tigers, the permission granted may be reviewed or revoked. This is why the department is proceeding very carefully to ensure the project's success," said an official of the forest With all paperwork finalised and formal permission granted under Section 12 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, on March 25, the state forest department is now awaiting the end of summer to begin the long-awaited interstate translocation of tigers to Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) and Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR).According to the order issued by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC), a copy of which is with TOI, the approval clears the way for relocating three female tigers from Madhya Pradesh. Two of them will be sent to RVTR and one to MHTR. This clearance follows a proposal submitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh seeking permission to capture and translocate ten tigers—two males and eight females—from tiger reserves of Kanha, Pench and Bandhavgarh to Rajasthan, Odisha and Chhattisgarh."Since translocation exercises are typically avoided during periods of extreme heat to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the animals, we are preparing to initiate the process as soon as weather conditions become favourable. Until then, necessary arrangements at these reserves are being made," said a senior forest department Rajasthan, the nod from MoEFCC marks a significant step forward. While RVTR is a newly designated tiger reserve awaiting its first big cats from another landscape to improve genetic diversity, MHTR has faced setbacks in previous reintroduction efforts. Both forest department officials and conservationists hope this initiative will mark a turning point in the revival of these however, alleged that despite the permission being granted, some senior officials are creating obstacles due to internal conflicts over credit. Tapeshwar Singh Bhati, a green activist, said, "Permission was received on March 25, but not much was done on the ground. Moreover, a senior official wrote that the prey base in MHTR is insufficient, which appears to be a deliberate attempt to delay the process."The Chief Wildlife Warden has been instructed to submit regular quarterly reports to the ministry. Reports from earlier studies that previously received the ministry's approval must also be submitted before seeking further translocation permissions."The ministry has also made it clear that in the event of any mishap that endangers the safety of the tigers, the permission granted may be reviewed or revoked. This is why the department is proceeding very carefully to ensure the project's success," said an official of the forest department.
