Fragmentation of Central India's Tiger Corridor
The Central India tiger corridor between the Satpura and Melghat tiger reserves is at risk due to a proposed third railway line. The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) has recommended in-principle clearance, subject to certain conditions.
Key Considerations
- The railway line will pass through two notified tiger corridors and an eco-sensitive zone.
- The project is part of a larger 290-km railway line on the Itarsi-Nagpur route.
- Affects 206.09 hectares of land, including 74.69 hectares of forest land and 131.4 hectares of non-forest land.
Corridor Importance
- Tiger corridors are essential for species such as tigers, leopards, and sloth bears for safe passage and genetic flow.
- Corridors form a lifeline for the Satpura-Pench-Melghat landscape.
Mitigation Structures
Mitigation measures are required, such as overpasses, to ensure safe wildlife passage across the railway alignment.
- Central Railway proposed 34 wildlife overpasses based on non-scientific inputs.
- Detailed engineering designs for the structures are pending.
Scientific Assessments and Recommendations
- Comprehensive scientific assessment of impacts and mitigation measures is required.
- The State Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur, is conducting a study; its report is awaited.
- SC-NBWL directed further examination and revision of project area recommendations based on scientific data.
