PANAJI
The Goa State Wildlife Board (GSWB) will discuss allowing iron ore handling at Kalem Railway Station, which is within the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, during its meeting on March 20.
The Board, chaired by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, is meeting for the first time in nearly 15 months, since its last session on 6 December 2023. Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane will also attend.
According to sources, the meeting will decide on an application to permit iron ore handling at Kalem Railway Station under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The government has e-auctioned an iron ore mineral block at Kalem in Sanguem taluka.
The meeting will also review the progress of management plans for the State’s protected areas.
Sources acknowledged that since the draft notifications for wildlife sanctuaries were issued, these areas have been managed without a comprehensive plan, even though the Wildlife Protection Act requires one. The management plan covers a period of ten years.
The Board will also discuss converting the 11kV Marli-Tirwal Feeder overhead network into an underground high-tension cable system from Amona Junction in Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary.
Additionally, it will decide on wildlife clearance for electrification of an unconnected area in Keri under Cotigao’s protected zone, as well as a proposal to reconstruct an existing kuccha road at Sakal Tirwal village in Cotigao.
