Environment body raises concern over BSF proposal in tiger reserve

New Delhi - A high-level body of environment ministry, headed by Jayanthi Natarajan, has expressed anguish over a BSF proposal seeking permission for building a patrol road in Mizoram along a tiger reserve bordering Bangladesh.

In its recent meeting, members of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife said that if a patrol road is built, it will be a threat to movement of wildlife in the Dampa Tiger Reserve, the biggest sanctuary in Mizoram.

The reserve, covering an area of approximately 550 sq km, is situated in western part of Mizoram on the international border with Bangladesh.

The Border Security Force wants 1,520 hectare land along the tropical forests of Dampa, which is home to rich flora and fauna.

Opposing the proposal, NBWL Standing Committee member M K Ranjitsinh said that "in view of alienation of large area outside the fence, and within the International Border," the infrastructure like border outposts and patrolling roads should be built outside the fence so that the remaining areas of the park remain unbroken for the movement of wildlife.

A top BSF official, who was present in the meeting, rejected Ranjitsinh's suggestion saying as per international regulations, it was not possible to locate the BOPs and road outside the fence.

Chairing the meeting, Natarajan said that this is "an extremely sensitive matter" involving the national security on one hand, and the concerns expressed by Committee members on the other for threat to movement of wildlife.

She referred the issue to the State Board for Wildlife for its recommendation on the proposal.