Goemkaponn Desk
PANAJI: In what could be a major setback to the BJP led government in Goa, the Supreme Court appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has given thumbs down to the three linear projects passing through the protected wilds of Mollem.
The CEC in its report has recommended to the Apex Court to revoke the permissions granted to the double-tracking of railway line passing through the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats from Tinaighat-Castlerock in Karnataka to Kulem in Goa involving 120.875 ha. of land (Protected Area 113.857 ha. and Non-Protected Area Reserved Forest 7.108 ha.) from the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary (BMWLS) in the State of Goa and 10.45 ha. (9.57 ha. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and 0.88 ha. in Haliyal Forest Division) in the State of Karnataka.
On the other hand, for the power transmission project, the CEC has suggested that the Supreme Court may direct the Ministry of Power, Government of India, Goa State Electricity Department and GTTPL to redraw and modify the alignment of additional 400 Kv line corridor between Narendra (existing) – Sangod (new) in the State of Goa and Karnataka.
For the four-laning of the National Highway project, the CEC is of the view that since it is more than 100kms length the Environment Clearness for the same is mandatory.
The CEC had visited Goa and Karnataka in January- February, to inspect the three infrastructure projects, following series of complaints received by it from various quarters involving NGOs, villagers, students, experts, etc.
The projects, sponsored by the Central Government, are being strongly opposed across State, while the State government is firm on its decision to go ahead with it.
On double tracking, the CEC noted that it does not find any justification for undertaking a project of this nature which will destroy the fragile Eco-system of the Western Ghats which is an internationally recognised Biodiversity hot spot and also one of the most important wildlife corridor of the Country.
” Moreover this doubling project will only be marginally enhancing the capacity of the most inefficient section of the Railway Network passing through ecologically sensitive and bio-diversity rich Tiger Reserve, Two Wildlife Sanctuaries and a National Park,” it said.
“In these circumstances it is recommended for the consideration of this Hon’ble Court to revoke the permission granted by the Standing Committee of
National Board for Wildlife (SC NBWL) for doubling of the railway track passing through the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats from Tinaighat-Castlerock in Karnataka to Kulem in Goa involving 120.875 ha. of land,” CEC proposed.
