The approval to this project was given by theForest Advisory Committee (FAC) under the environment ministry, and was supervised by the Defence Research and Development Organisation ( DRDO ) on 16th March, 2016.
The FAC deals with approvals and rejections of proposals related to mining, highway construction and other infrastructures that require the diversion of forest land. While the environment ministry has the last word, it usually doesn't disagree with the decisions of the panel.
The reasons for this proposal is that a previous missile testing facility in Odisha, built 20 years ago, has several limitations holding it back, after the construction of the close by Dharma Port in 2011.
In spite of criticism by forest officials in Andhra Pradesh, the approval by FAC came through. The critics alluded to the fact that the area approved for this project, falls under the last of the remaining mangrove forests that contains uncommon species of flora and fauna, in the Krishna estuary. Several of these species such as the olive Ridley turtle, fishing cat, otter and several fish species are either already endangered or threatened.
K.S. Reddy, the additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (central region) stated in a site visit report that one can also find a diverse mix of local and migratory avifauna like Spot - billed Pelicans, egrets, gulls, cormorants, Open - billed Storks, Painted Storks, plovers and bee - eaters, all of which are either near threatened or endangered.
As part of the proposal, it was stated that a road would be built on an elevated platform so as to not restrict wildlife movement and tidal action. The panel also instructed that the DRDO should abide by conditions laid down by the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) of Andhra Pradesh.
The CWLW stated in his report that if this project is approved, the DRDO does need to implement certain restrictions at the facility such as limiting tests to be carried out only in the day, stopping such tests in the months of January till May, and the lighting used in the facility must be wildlife-friendly. This is not the first time the FAC has approved the diversion of forest area for a defence project. The panel had approved further land development at Naliya in Kutch, Gujarat in September 2015. This is an air force base, and one of the few places in India, where one can find the Great Indian Bustard, of which there are less than a hundred remaining today in fragmented and degraded grasslands.
Then in 2014, the home of the endemic Narcondam hornbill, at Narcodam Island in the Bay of Bengal was subjected to construction of a radar station . There are less than 350 individuals of this species, with the entire population residing on this volcanic island.
A former member of the standing committee of the National Board of Wildlife, Prerna Bindra, a conservationist, commented on the fact that national security is indeed not only crucial, but also a priority. She said that while it is rare for defence projects to be stopped, ecological integrity plays an important role as well. This is not limited to wildlife, as forests and mangroves which are pivotal to our water security are also being threatened.
Source: Livemint.
Name of the magazine: Sanctuary Asia.
