Wildlife Board Nod to 10 Roads Near Indo-China Border in Ladakh Over ‘strategic Importance’

New Delhi: The National Board of Wildlife (NWBL) has given its nod for clearances for the construction of 10 roads at the Indo-China border in Ladakh, citing their strategic importance.

In a meeting held this month, the NWBL also recommended imposing a two per cent “fine” as a “mitigation” measure for pursuing development work inside eco-sensitive zones.

The road clearances were granted following requests by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to construct roads inside the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, a 1,400 sq. km park, which is home to the Tibetan wild ass, black cranes, and other rare animal species.

“These roads are strategically important for the security of the country and will be used by ITBP and military personnel for logistics and carriage of ammunition etc. to protect Indian territory up to international border,” said the minutes of the 7-August meeting, which were published last week.

The total area to be cleared for the roads amounts to over 115 hectares.

According to the minutes, the committee’s decision was also influenced by the Ladakh’s Chief Warden of Wildlife, who informed the panel that “the area required for the projects is very small compared to the area of the Changthang Sanctuary. He said that the animals found in this terrain are long ranging and no road kills have been recorded on the existing roads”.

The recommendations of the committee, which is chaired by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, follow a slew of other infrastructure projects being pushed by the government at the Indo-China border in Ladakh, in view of the stand-off with the Chinese military.

Source: The Print