The Telangana State Board for Wild Life, during its fourth sitting on Saturday, has cleared the Strategic Road Development Project (SRDP) proposed by the State government, inclusive of the construction of six multi-level flyovers abutting the KBR National Park.
The meeting was convened under the chairmanship of the Minister for Environment and Forests Jogu Ramanna, in time for the proposal to be forwarded to the National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) which is to meet in Delhi on July 29.
Tree felling proposed for the construction of flyovers has become contentious, with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) taking up the case suo-motu and NGOs and individuals impleading in the case opposing the decision.
The NGT has issued orders on May 24, saying the trees to be felled do not fall within the KBR park, and that the proposed flyovers do not come under the Environment Impact Assessment notification, and do not require environmental clearance.
However, the court has advised the GHMC to wait till a final decision is taken by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests with respect to the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the national park.
The members, Justice P.Jyothimani and P.S.Rao expressed the view that if the flyovers fall within the proposed ESZ around KBR Park, then GHMC must approach the NBWL for wild life clearance.
The tree cutting too may be proceeded with, only if the ministry approves the GHMC’s proposal to nullify the ESZ in line with the Guindy National Park in Chennai as argued by the State government’s counsel.
However, the earlier draft notification by MoEF for an ESZ with 25 to 35 meters width around the park was objected by the GHMC as it would come in the way of its plans for SRDP.
Accordingly, the proposals were revised first to three to seven meters, and then to zero. The draft notification could not be finalised due to pendency of the case before NGT, and on June 15, the notification lapsed owing to completion of 545 days, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests P.K.Jha informed.
Revised proposal to be forwarded to MoEF by the State government is pending with the District Collector.
Activists feel that, by presenting the proposal before the State Board for Wild Life, the State government has jumped the gun, as the draft notification by MoEF is not yet out.
Further, they also object to the comparison of KBR Park with the Guindy National Park, as the latter did not share any buffer with the road to begin with.
However, Mr.Jha said the GHMC had made a presentation scientifically evaluating the project taking into account, the release of carbon dioxide into atmosphere owing to the junction near the park.
