Context:
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) has recommended approval for the Kopra irrigation project within the core area of the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, allowing diversion of about 272 hectares of forest land, raising concerns about its impact on tiger habitat and riparian ecosystems.
Key Highlights:
- Project Approval
- The SC-NBWL approved forest diversion of approximately 272 hectares within the core zone of the tiger reserve.
- The project will involve the construction of reservoirs on the Byarma and Kopra rivers, tributaries of the Sonar River.
- Irrigation Benefits
- The project aims to provide irrigation for around 9,900 hectares of Rabi crops in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh.
- However, the reservoir construction will submerge about 13 villages.
- Land Submergence
- The reservoirs will submerge a total of 1,044.52 hectares of land, including:
- Forest land
- Government land
- Private land
- Compensatory Measures
- 310 hectares of revenue land within the tiger reserve will be used for compensatory afforestation.
- Authorities have been instructed to minimise damage to wildlife habitats and forest ecosystems.
- Conservation Concerns
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) raised concerns about:
- Disruption of tiger movement corridors
- Impact on riparian ecosystems
- Fragmentation of habitat in the reserve’s core area.
- Ecological Debate
- Some officials argue the reservoir may reduce grazing pressure and human disturbance, potentially benefiting the habitat.
- However, conservation experts warn about long-term ecological fragmentation and loss of critical tiger habitat.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve
- Located in Madhya Pradesh.
- Notified in 2023.
- Established partly to offset habitat loss caused by the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project.
- National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)
- Apex advisory body for wildlife conservation in India.
- Chaired by the Prime Minister.
- The Standing Committee evaluates development projects in wildlife habitats.
- National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
- Statutory body established under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (amended in 2006).
- Responsible for tiger conservation and Project Tiger implementation.
- Compensatory Afforestation
- Mandatory under forest diversion rules when forest land is used for development projects.
- Riparian Ecosystem
- Ecological zone where land meets rivers or streams, supporting rich biodiversity.
- Rabi Crops
- Crops sown in winter and harvested in spring, e.g., wheat, mustard, barley.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Development vs Conservation Dilemma
- Infrastructure projects often conflict with wildlife conservation goals.
- Projects in protected area core zones risk irreversible ecological damage.
- Impact on Tiger Conservation
- Habitat fragmentation affects:
- Tiger dispersal and breeding
- Prey availability
- Genetic diversity of tiger populations.
- Riparian Ecosystem Damage
- Reservoir construction may alter river flow regimes and aquatic biodiversity.
- Can affect forest hydrology and soil health.
- Social and Livelihood Impacts
- Submergence of villages can lead to displacement and livelihood disruption.
- Requires fair rehabilitation and resettlement policies.
- Governance and Environmental Regulation
- Environmental clearances must balance:
- Developmental needs
- Long-term ecological sustainability.
- Way Forward
- Conduct comprehensive ecological impact assessments.
- Ensure wildlife corridors and mitigation measures.
- Implement scientifically planned compensatory afforestation.
- Strengthen community participation in conservation decisions.
UPSC Relevance:
- GS Paper III – Environment & Ecology: Wildlife conservation, habitat fragmentation.
- GS Paper III – Disaster Management: Environmental impacts of infrastructure projects.
- Prelims: NBWL, NTCA, tiger reserves, compensatory afforestation.