PANAJI
The Regional Empowered Committee of the Union MoEF&CC is set to review, on December 12, Karnataka’s request to divert 28.44 hectares of forest land in Nerase village, Khanapur taluka, for the Kalsa-Bhandura drinking water project.
The proposal, earlier deferred by the committee in May due to its proximity to the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, will now be taken up again for consideration.
Karnataka, through Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL) had approached REC for diversion of 28.44 ha of forest land in Nerase village of Khanapur taluka for construction of diversion weir, jackwell-cum-pump house, electric substation, pipeline and powerline for utilisation of Bandura Nala drinking water to Hubli-Dharwad twin cities and other surrounding areas for Kalsa project diversion.
The REC during its meeting held in May had kept the proposal on hold considering that the proposed area falls close to the protected Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary. Karnataka had contended that the project site is located approximately 0.029 kms of Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and also outside the notified Eco-Sensitive Zone.
Sources confirmed that REC has undertaken a site inspection of the proposed forest diversion area. “The decision of REC will be based on the inspection and directions issued to Karnataka including preparing conservation plan, etc,” sources said.
During its last meeting, REC had asked Karnataka State to prepare a bio-diversity conservation plan considering the fact that in and around the proposed forest area for diversion is a habitat for endangered animals such as tiger, leopard and other flora and fauna. REC noted that the proposed project area is a part of the Biodiversity Conservation Working Circle.
Karnataka had informed REC that the project is expected to have minimal impact on biodiversity including wildlife and any residual impacts can be mitigated through appropriate wildlife conservation measures. It also said that 5 per cent of the project cost will be utilized for wildlife mitigation and conservation efforts.
