Concerns raised over National Board for Wildlife's 'muddled' decisions

By Shankar Sharma*

Recent actions by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) have sparked criticism for their seemingly irrational nature and a lack of consideration for community welfare concerning the country's diverse populations. The NBWL's 79th Standing Committee meeting showcased troubling choices impacting both wildlife protection and resource management.

A report disclosed that the NBWL has withheld wildlife clearance for the Kalasa Nala Diversion Project, citing ongoing Supreme Court litigation involving the Goa government and the Mahadayi project. In contrast, the committee approved the Goa-Tamnar 400 kV power transmission line, which will consume 435 acres of ecologically sensitive forest land in Karnataka.

The decision has garnered backlash from environmental advocates and the Karnataka state government, who argue that significant forest cover will be lost in the process. Critics contend that the media framing of this project as a mere "utilization" of forest land downplays the reality of "destruction" of invaluable forest ecosystems.

Additionally, the rationale behind rejecting the Kalasa Nala project appears to hinge primarily on legal complications, suggesting that absent such issues, the project may have proceeded, risking the integrity of dense forests in sensitive areas.

The NBWL's decision to permit the Goa-Tamnar line despite substantial opposition underscores a troubling trend—rapid approvals for numerous forest diversion projects that overlook the broader implications for community welfare.

Conditional approval for the power line includes a stipulation that work on the Karnataka side must wait for a recommendation from the state's wildlife board, a requirement critics argue is largely ineffective, as the project remains dependent on this segment's completion to be viable.

Moreover, the Goa government’s request for approval to utilize 27 hectares of land in the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary for the transmission project draws attention to a distressing trend of undervaluing protected areas crucial for maintaining ecological balance.

The NBWL has repeatedly ignored credible civil society representations against such projects, raising questions about its commitment to environmental protections. For instance, a comprehensive representation submitted in January 2019 with viable alternatives to the Goa-Tamnar project was reportedly overlooked without acknowledgment.

Alarming claims have also emerged from project proponents asserting that the destruction of 177 hectares of forest will yield societal benefits 715 times greater than the costs incurred from such environmental loss. Acceptance of this argument by the NBWL would represent a startling endorsement of misinformation regarding the significance of forest ecosystems.

The NBWL's approval of over 500 projects impacting forested areas between 2014 and 2018 has been linked to a reported loss of approximately 120,000 hectares of primary forest over the past five years.

NBWL's approval 500 projects during 2014-18 has led to a reported loss of 120,000 hectares of primary forests over the past five years

According to the World Resources Institute, India lost 1.6 million hectares of tree cover between 2001 and 2018, with a staggering 9.4 million trees felled in just the last four years. India’s commitment to preserving its natural resources comes under scrutiny as legally protected areas cover only about 14% of forest land and a mere 4.61% of the country’s total landmass.

Despite the establishment of more national parks and wildlife sanctuaries over the decades, the effectiveness of these protections remains questionable, with over 65% of protected areas reported to be influenced by human activities as early as the mid-1980s. Recent proposals have included developing pristine forest land for energy generation and resource extraction, raising alarms over the future of India’s biodiversity and environmental sustainability.

Given the current trajectory, particularly with the centralized government continuing to approve high-impact projects in protected areas, stakeholders are calling for urgent changes to development paradigms to prioritize ecological conservation. Multiple global scientific bodies have issued warnings regarding the accelerating loss of biodiversity and its implications for human health and sustainability.

The NBWL's muddled decisions highlight the need for a reassessment of priorities regarding environmental protections and the community’s welfare in India, urging for a cohesive approach that genuinely upholds ecological integrity. With growing evidence pointing towards the disastrous consequences of continued resource exploitation, it is imperative that the NBWL revisits its policies in light of the critical need for sustainable development.

As environmentalists in Karnataka watch closely, they hope for a decisive rejection of proposals that threaten to devastate the last remaining patches of thick natural forests in wildlife sanctuaries across the region.

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*Power & climate policy analyst, Karnataka. This article is based on the author's representation to the Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Vice-Chairperson, National Board for Wildlife

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