The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife has approved the diversion of 310 hectares of forest land from the core zone of the Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh for the construction of the Arunachal Frontier Highway (NH-913). The highway is a key strategic project near the India-Myanmar border in Changlang district.
Project Highlights
The highway will connect NH-215 near Kharsang to Miao-Gandhigram-Vijaynagar, involving 248.79 hectares for road widening and 61.21 hectares for muck disposal. The existing 3.5-metre road will be upgraded to intermediate lane width to enhance border connectivity.
Environmental Impact
The project may result in the loss of around 1.55 lakh trees in dense tropical forest. While the state claims the widening is essential and modest, environmental experts have raised alarms over the scale of deforestation.
Wildlife and Mitigation
Concerns were voiced regarding inadequate wildlife mitigation plans, as the current design includes only standard culverts and underpasses. Experts have called for site-specific, research-backed solutions to support animal movement.
WII to Lead Wildlife Passage Plan
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) will undertake a three-month study to prepare a comprehensive wildlife crossing plan, detailing the location, structure, and specifications of mitigation features. The committee’s clearance is conditional upon its implementation.
Additional Clearance in Andhra Pradesh
The committee also cleared a four-lane highway project between Kadapa and Renigunta in Andhra Pradesh, covering 133 hectares. The route cuts through eco-sensitive zones and tiger corridors, affecting parts of Sri Venkateswara and Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Wildlife Sanctuaries, as well as the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam corridor.
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