Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a move that has triggered concern among local residents and environmental groups, the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has given its approval to the South Western Railway (SWR) to continue iron ore handling operations at the Kalem railway yard, which lies within the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park.
The decision was taken during a recent NBWL meeting, where the Board recommended the proposal to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for granting wildlife clearance. The clearance involves the use of 0.7616 hectares of forest land within the sanctuary, subject to strict conditions aimed at protecting forest land and wildlife habitats during both execution and operation of the activity.
As per the proposal, SWR plans to carry out loading, unloading and transportation of iron ore at the Kalem railway station yard, located inside the protected area. Railway authorities had earlier stated that shifting the iron ore handling operations beyond a two-kilometre buffer from the sanctuary boundary was not feasible.
The project had already received approval from the State Board for Wildlife during its meeting held in September.
During discussions at the NBWL meeting, members were informed that Kalem railway station has been operational since the Portuguese era and continued functioning under the Southern Maratha Railway before being brought under the South Western Railway zone in 2004. At present, the station is authorised to handle inward goods traffic in full train loads.
According to the proposal, the station has historically been used for mineral transportation. The project was recommended by the Chief Wildlife Warden, endorsed by the State Wildlife Board, and forwarded by the State government to the Centre.
The NBWL has stipulated that the user agency must submit an annual compliance report to the State Chief Wildlife Warden, while the State Chief Wildlife Warden must, in turn, submit an annual compliance certificate to the Government of India.
The decision, however, has faced strong opposition at the local level. The Kalem panchayat had objected to the Chief Wildlife Warden’s approval and had written to the Chief Minister, urging the State government to prevent iron ore handling activities within the ecologically sensitive sanctuary area.
Environmentalists and residents have expressed apprehension that iron ore loading and transportation within the sanctuary could intensify ecological pressure, disrupt wildlife movement and lead to increased pollution in the biodiversity-rich Bhagwan Mahavir landscape.
