Amche Mollem Group flags risks
PANAJI
The Amche Mollem Group has raised concerns over the State government’s move to revive the railway double-tracking between Castle Rock and Kulem, which passes through the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary.
Wildlife conservationist Nandini Velho said Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), through the Wildlife Institute of India, has started a new impact and mitigation study for the Castle Rock-Kulem and Kulem-Kalem sections, spending around Rs 4.5 crore on it.
“There are several errors and glaring procedural gaps and ecological risks. We appeal the government and the Goa State Wildlife Board not to grant any permission to the project,”
she said.
In February, the Regional Empowered Committee (REC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change turned down the State’s request to lift the hold on diverting 15.6 hectares of forest for the Kulem-Kalem section.
The REC said this section falls within protected areas and asked RVNL to study its impact on biodiversity and ecology.
An activist said there are fresh efforts to push for forest and wildlife clearance, and the proposal is now “pending for part-4 submission” with the Chief Wildlife Warden and State Wildlife Board.
The railway project lost its wildlife clearances in 2022 following a Supreme Court order.
