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MP mulls captive thermal power plant near Ratapani sanctuary

State government plans to set up a captive coal-based thermal power plant and construction of steel silo within 10 kilometre radius of Ratapani sanctuary. A state wild life advisory board meeting decided to seek permission of the National Wildlife Board for setting up of the plant.

A proposal to upgrade the sanctuary into a tiger reserve has already been pending for more than three years, a senior forest department official said. There is a good population of tigers in the sanctuary and often they stray out and are seen on the outskirts of Bhopal at Kerwa jungles. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has also helped the forest department for electronic surveillance of tigers in Kerwa jungle, he added. Meeting of the Board on Monday was chaired by chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and it discussed proposals for permission for development works within 10 kilometre radius of national parks and sanctuaries.

It discussed proposals regarding laying of third rail line between Habibganj and Barkhera in Ratapani sanctuary and also upgradation of Amdoh to Surai Dhaba road the sanctuary.

According to a government spokesman, it was also decided to send proposal regarding laying of 765 KV single circuit transmission line within 10 kilometre radius of Singhori sanctuary, renovation of canal within limits of Singhori sanctuary, survey and upgradation of Balakot-Chirai-Manka road in Naurodehi sanctuary (Damoh), road construction from Dada Khirak to Tighara in Son Chidiya sanctuary in Ghatigaon (Gwalior), construction of approach roads under Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Beldara Talab minor irrigation project in Bagdara wildlife sanctuary in Singrauli.

The meeting also discussed laying of additional Katni-Singrauli rail line in Sanjay Dubri sanctuary under Sanjay tiger reserve and laying underground sewer line in Madhya national park (Shivpuri).

Addressing the meeting, chief minister said Dhoopgarh, Mahadev, Chauragarh, Bada Mahadev and Nagdwari are major religious places in Pachmarhi under Satpura tiger reserve where fairs are held on Shivratri and Nagpanchami with participation of 15 to 20 lakh devotees. In view of devotees' convenience, he directed to send a proposal to National Wildlife Board to de-notify these areas for construction of public facilities.

Chouhan also directed the state wildlife advisory board to remove all hurdles in bringing lions from Gujarat to Kuno-Palanpur sanctuary so that work to rehabilitate lions in Madhya Pradesh can be started at the earliest.

Addressing the Board meeting here on Tuesday, he said special attention to protection of vulture, Barahsingha and Great Indian Bustard for their survival.

Chouhan directed to undertake large-scale publicity of harmful effects of painkilling medicine diclofenac on vultures and other birds. He said that publicity campaign in this connection should be taken up jointly by Forest, Animal Husbandry and Panchayats departments.

Chouhan directed to seek consent of re-settled families in the work of shifting of villages from tiger reserves in the state. He instructed to provide compensation from available funds of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Regulation Authority (CAMPA).

Source: The Times of India