Final call on road through tiger land only after site visit: NTCA

Bhopal/Jabalpur: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) told a division bench of MP high court on Tuesday that it would undertake a site visit before deciding on final permission for construction of the NH-69 stretch from Betul to Obedullaganj through tiger corridor.The court is hearing a PIL challenging construction of the highway in tiger zone without requisite permission.At the last hearing a week ago, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had presented in court a letter from NTCA allowing construction of the road. On Tuesday, however, NTCA told the court that the final decision would be taken after site visit. Following this, the bench of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vinay Saraf extended the stay on construction. The next hearing is on Nov 6. Petitioner Advait Keole from Amravati town in Maharashtra argues that forest department has allowed construction of the Betul-Obedullaganj stretch of NH-69 but this portion involves part of Melghat and Satpura tiger reserves of Maharashtra and MP. These are among 32 major tiger corridors recognised by NTCA.According to rules, permission of NTCA and National Board of Wildlife should also have been obtained for construction of the road in this area, he argues, adding that these permissions were not obtained.He also pointed out that NTCA guidelines provide for construction of underpasses, overbridges and culverts for ensuring safe passage of wild animals in such areas. The secretary, forest and environment, government of India, NTCA, NBW, NHAI, MP additional chief secretary-forest and state PCCF are respondents in the case.In previous hearings, NHAI told the court that permission from other departments and agencies has been received and on Oct 15, it tabled NTCA's approval. Care is being taken during construction so that the life of wild animals is not affected in any manner, it said.The court, however, stayed construction in an April 1, 2022, order. In Aug , 2022, HC allowed repair of the stretches battered by rains. Bhopal/Jabalpur: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) told a division bench of MP high court on Tuesday that it would undertake a site visit before deciding on final permission for construction of the NH-69 stretch from Betul to Obedullaganj through tiger corridor.The court is hearing a PIL challenging construction of the highway in tiger zone without requisite permission.At the last hearing a week ago, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had presented in court a letter from NTCA allowing construction of the road. On Tuesday, however, NTCA told the court that the final decision would be taken after site visit. Following this, the bench of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vinay Saraf extended the stay on construction. The next hearing is on Nov 6. Petitioner Advait Keole from Amravati town in Maharashtra argues that forest department has allowed construction of the Betul-Obedullaganj stretch of NH-69 but this portion involves part of Melghat and Satpura tiger reserves of Maharashtra and MP. These are among 32 major tiger corridors recognised by NTCA.According to rules, permission of NTCA and National Board of Wildlife should also have been obtained for construction of the road in this area, he argues, adding that these permissions were not obtained.He also pointed out that NTCA guidelines provide for construction of underpasses, overbridges and culverts for ensuring safe passage of wild animals in such areas. The secretary, forest and environment, government of India, NTCA, NBW, NHAI, MP additional chief secretary-forest and state PCCF are respondents in the case.In previous hearings, NHAI told the court that permission from other departments and agencies has been received and on Oct 15, it tabled NTCA's approval. Care is being taken during construction so that the life of wild animals is not affected in any manner, it said.The court, however, stayed construction in an April 1, 2022, order. In Aug , 2022, HC allowed repair of the stretches battered by rains.