ONDEXTOANNEXURES

(VOLUME - II)

S.NO. PARTICULARS PAGE NO.

1. ReportoftheCEC 1-110

ANNEXURE R -1 (Golly.)

2. Copies of the relevant extracts from the 111-132 minutes of the 561h and 57th Meeting of SC NBWL held on 17.12.2019 and 7.4.2020

ANNEXURE R-2 (Golly.)

3. Copies of the letters of CEC dated 133-1 34 19.02.2020 and 15.09.2020 addressed to the Secretary, MoEF&CC

ANNEXURE R-3

4. A Statement showing gist of some of the 135-168 representations received by CEC in adcition to the Applióation No. 1440

ANNEXURE R-4 (Colly.)

5. Copies of the letters dated 1.2.2021 and 169-175 17.2.2021 received from the South Western Railway giving details of goods traffic

ANNEXURE R-5 6. A copy of the letter dated 07/08-04-2021 176-180 from South Western Railway

ANNEXURE R-6

7. A copy of the Site Appraisal Report of NTCA 181-210

on doubling of Tinaighat — Caranzol Rail line ANNEXURE R-7

8 A Statement giving the details of forest area 211 involved in the States of Goa and Karnataka in doubling of the Rail line

ANNEXURE R-8

A copy of the minutes of the 60th Meeting of 2 12-214 SC NBWL held on 5.1.2021

ANNEXURE R-9 (Colly.)

Photographs taken during the site visit of CEC showing the nature of the pristine 10. ecosystem of the Western Ghats aound 215-224 Castlerock and photos received from the Government agencies showing Tiger along the rail track and representative phcto of animal accidents along the railway track

ANNEXURE R-1O

11. A copy of the Notification dated 28.11 2018 225-229 of the Ministry of Power

ANNEXURE R-11

12. A copy of the statement showing the divsion 230 wise details of forest area and trees with number of towers

ANNEXURE R-12 (Colly)

13. The Statements showing the alternate routes 231-232 examined by GTTPL in Goa and Karnataka ANNEXURE R-13

14. A copy of the minutes of the meeting of the 233-243 REC, Bangalore held on 23.2.2021

ANNEXURE R-14 (Colly.)

15. A copy each of the letter dated 19.11.2020 244-249 AND 1.1.2021 of. M0EF&CC, Reg~onaI Office, Bangalore

ANNEXURE R-15

16. A copy of the map of Goa state showing the 250 spatial distribution of project elements

ANNEXURE R-16

17 A copy of the Minutes of the 39~ Meetirg of 251-254 ~ the Standing Committee on Power System Planning in Western Region held on 30.11.20 15

ANNEXURE R-17

18. Copy of the letter dated 10.07.2018 of Dy. 255-256

Conservator of Forest, Wildlife and ECO — Tourism (N)

ANNEXURE R-18 (CoNy.)

A copy of the line overview of 220/IIC KV 19. line presented by GTTPL and photographs of 257-260 the existing 110/220 KV line and the proposed site for 400/220 KV substation at Sangod ANNEXURE R-19 20 A copy of the index map of the propDsed 261

road alignment of NH — 4A

ANNEXURE R-20

21 A copy of the response of State PWD tc the 262-264 comments offered by the CEC during the site visit held on 21.1.2021

ANNEXURE R-21(Colly.)

22 A copy of the animated views of the 265-267 projected 4 lane elevated road, animal underpass and animal overpass

ANNEXURE R-22 (Colly)

23. A copy of the letter dated 13.4.2021 of CEC 268-271 and letter dated 20.4.2021 of the Chief Engineer (NH, R&B) of Government of Goa MNNrXURL~ R- i (couj H,

Government of India Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Wildlife Division) 6th Floor, Vayu Wing Indira Paryavaran Bhawan Jor Bagh Road, Aligaij New Delhi 110 003 F.No.6-154/2019WL Date: 21.01.2C20

To

All Members Standing Committee of NBWL

Sub: Minutes of 56th Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life- reg.

Sir! Madam,

Kindly find enclosed copy of the Minutes of 56~ Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life held on j7th December 2019 through Vxieo Conference under :be chairmanship of Hon’ble Union Minister of Environment, Forest anc Climate Change.

Yours faithfully,

v’~t (Dr Pasupala Ravi) Scientis: C End: As above Distribution

(1) Secretary, MoEF&CC (2) DGF&SS, MoEF&CC (3) ADGF(WL) MoEF&CC (4) ADGF(FC), MoEF&CC (5) Member Secretary, NTCA (6) Director, W I, Dehradun (7) Director, GEER Foundation, Gandhinagar, Gujarat (8) Prof. R. Sukumar, Member, NBWL (9) Dr. H.S. Sirgh, Member, NBWL (10) Pr. Secretary, Dept. of Envi., Forest, Science & Tech., Govt. of Ard9ra Pradesh (11) Shri Noyal Thomas, IGF & Director (PE)

Copy to (1) PS to Hon’ble MoEF&CC (2) PS to Hon’ble MoSEF&CC (3) PPS to DGF&SS, MoEF&CC (4) PPS to Addl.DGF(WL), PPS to IGF(WL) (5) CWLW Assam I CWLW Bihar! CWLW Goal CWLW Gujarat / CWLW .Jharkhand I CWLW Madbya Pradesh I CWLW Rajasthan / CWLW Telangana / CWLW Tripura I CW...W Uttarakhand MINUTES OF 561h MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF NATIONAL BOARD FOR WILD LIFE HELD ON 171h DECEMBER 2019

The 56th Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life was held ~ j~th December 2019 through Video Conference and chaired by the Hon’ble Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change. List of participants is placed at ANNEXU RE-I.

Hon’ble Chairman welcomed all the participants to the Seth Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life and asked tie IGF(WL) to initiate the discussions on the Agenda Items.

AGENDA ITEM No.1 55.1.1 Confirmation of the minutes of the ~ Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life held on 29th August 2019

The IGF(WL) mentioned that the minutes of the 5S’~ Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life held on 29th Aucust 2019 were circulated amongst all the members of the Standing Committee on li~~ September 2019. He solicited for confirmation of the m~nutes during the meeting.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to confirm the minutes.

AGENDA ITEM No.2 (Action Taken Report)

54.4.3 Proposal for use of 98.59 ha of reserve forestland from Saleki proposed reserve forest which is a part of Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve for Tikok OCP coal mining project by North-Eastern Coal Field, Coal India Limited, Assam State

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated that the proposal was considered in the 54th meeting held on 18th July 2019 wherein it was decided that a committee comprising of Prof R Sukumar, Member NBWL, representative from the Wildlife Division and the State Chief Wildlife Warden would visit the project site and submit report to this Ministry within one month. Further the Ministry may also arrange for meeting wit officials of Coal India Limited as advised by the chair. He stated that the Site Inspectior Committee visited project site and submitted report on 22/10/2019.

Prof. R. Sukumar, Member stated that 57.20 ha of forestland has already been broken up by the user agency and the balance area of 41.39 ha unbroken land, cautious approach need to be adopted in the light of the rich biodiversity. Tie proposed area is on a steep hill slope that is part of the Dehing Patkai Elephant reserve adjoining good forest area in the neighboring State of Arunachal Pradesh which indudes Deomali Elephart Reserve with a sizeable population of elephants. He also stated that it would be prudent to preserve the basic integrity of this forested hill slope.

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After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to defer the proposal till the outcome of the meeting with the officials of Coal India Limited.

54.4.24 Proposal for use of 12.885 ha private land of Sohagra Graphite Mine situated near Village Sohagra, District Palamu, Jharkhand State

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated that the proposal was considered ~y the Standing Committee in its 54th meeting held o’i 18th July 2019 wherein it was decided to deliberate discussions in the forthcoming meeing. The IGF(WL) stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the proj&t with conditions.

Further the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wilc Lie has recommended the proposal in ts meeting held on 23105/2018. The NTCA has also recommended the proj~t with the conditions and mitigative measures.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to defer the proposal.

54.4.21 Proposal for use of 11.115 ha of land (forestland: 2.565 ha + civil soyam land: 8.190 ha) construction of Kotgaon (Naitwaj to Kalap Motor road, Uttarakhand State

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stat~ that the proposal was considered in the 54°’ meeting held on 18°’ July 2019 wherein it was decided to deliberate discussions in the forthcoming meeting in the light of the guidelines for roads in protected areas issued by the Ministry. He stated the proposal is for use of 11.115 ha of land (8.190 ha of civil soyam land + 2.565 ha forestland) for construction of ~‘ew road from Kotgaon to Kalap Motor road passing through Govind Pashu Vihar National Park. He stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the project without imposing conditions. Further the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wild LIe has recommended the proposal in its meeting held on 15/06/2018. In the 54°’ meeting Dr H S Singh, Member stated that as per the recommendations of “the Sub-Committee on Guidelines for Roads in Protected Areas” new roads shall not be constructed inside the National Parks and Sanctuaries. The Standing Committee in its 54th meeting noticed that the Chief Wildlife Warden / or representative from the State Forest Department was not available to comment on the proposed road.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided that a committee comprising cf two officials from the Wildlife Division and the two officials from the State Forest Department would visit the project site and submit report to this Ministry within one month.

54.4.25 Proposal for picking of balu I bajri I boulder mine at village Dhhakrani, Tehsil Vikas Nagar, District Dehradun from the private land of 2.5893 ha area located at 2.35 km away from Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve, Uttarakhand State

2J Page 54.4.26 Proposal for picking of balu I bajri I boulder mine from an area of 3.1250 ha at Village Dhakrani, Tehsil Vikasnagar, District Dehradun, Uttarakhand State

54.4.27 Proposal for collection river bed materials from an area 10.0 ha located at Sajjanpur Village, Haridwar falls at distance of 9.0 km away from the boundary of Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand State

54.4.28 Proposal for collection river bed materials from an area 92.504 ha located at

Budhwa - Shahid, Hetampur falls at distance of 3.9 km away from the boundary of Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand State

55.4.21 Proposal for collection river bed materials from an area 55.51 ha located at Satiwal, Kudkawala, Teliwala and Kheri, falls at distance of 1.5 km away from the boundary of Rajaji National Park, Littarakhand State

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated that these proposals were considered in the 54th meeting held on 18th July 2019 wherein it was decided to deliberate discussions in the forthcoming meeting. He stated that These proposals were also considered by the Standing Committee in its 5S~ meeting neld on 29~ August 2019 however the Standing Committee decided not to recommend :he project till the conditions given below are complied and certified by the State Chief Wildlife Warden.

(a) The project proponent mandatorily comply all the requirements envisaged in the guidelines named Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016 issued by the Ministry. (b) The project proponent will comply with all the conditions imoosed by the State Chief Wildlife Warden and the NTCA. (c) The annual compliance certificate on the stipulated conditions should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wildlife Warden and an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chief Wildlife Warden to Govt. of India. (d) A committee constituted by the Ministry to provide guidelines on mechanism of extraction of sand I river bed materials.

55.4.2 Proposal for reduction in area and alteration of boundary of Kawar Lake Bird Sanctuary

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated that the proposal is for the reduction of total area of Kawar Lake Bird Sanctuary from 6311 bectares to 3052 hectares and exclude of an area of 3291.58 ha of 9 villages and include in 1 village and addition in 2 villages of a small linked wetland with channel connecting the main wetland. He stated that the State Chief Wildlife warden has recommended the prcposal and stated that the area of Kabar Tal Bird Sanctuary is to be reduced from 6311 hec:ares to 3052 hectares with the exclusion of areas in 9 villages and inclusion in I village and addition in 2 villages of a small linked wetland with channel connecting the main wetland. A few relatively uplands (islands) with Forest Department’s old plantations and associated vegetations in the wetland have also been retained. In the SS~ meeting the State Chief Wildlife Warden

3~ Page stated that several representations have been received from the villagers for including 32.22 ha of area into the sanctuary and requested the Standirg Committee to allow for submission of the revised proposal.

The State Chief Wildlife Warden stated that the public hewing is yet to be conducted in three villages. He stated that the revised proposal shall be submitted in two months.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to defer the proposal till the receipt of the revised proposal from the State Government.

55.4.14 Proposal for construction of Intake Well in Chambal River and laying of water supply pipeline for Sheopur

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated that the proposal is for use of 1.267 ha of land (PA area : 0.635 ha + revenue area 0.632 ha) from the National Chambal Sanctuary for construction of Intake Well in the Chambal River and for laying of drinking water pipeline. He stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has not recommended the proposal citing the following reasons.

(1) Construction of intake well is in close proximity of the habitat of crocodile, gharial, Indian skimmers, turtle and dolphin. (2) In year 2011 WII suggested that the minimum flow reqJred to sustain the ideal habitat fit gharial in Chambal river is 151-165 m3 I sec and for the dolphin the

minimum flow required to sustain the ideal habitat is 266.42 — 289.67 m3 / sec but in December 2017 WIl again monitored the discharge of the Chambal river which was found to be 67 m3/sec. So taking water from Chambal rver will affect the wildlife adversely in long run for sustaining viable population of critically endangered schedule I species. (3) The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life decided in 22~ meeting held on 25.04.2011 that no new projects could be considered by said committee in future for taking water from Chambal river.

Further the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wild Ure has recommended the proposal in its meeting held on 26/09/2018.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided tc defer the proposal tUl alternative sources of water is explored by the State Government following sustainable goal objectives.

55.4.17 Proposal of MIs. Associated Stone Industries (Kota) limited for expansion and renewal of Kota Stone production in mining lease No.1/89 situated in Tehsil Ramganj mandi, District Kota, Rajasthan

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated that the proposal was considered by the Standing Committee of NBWL in its 37th 38th 39th 40th 41st 42nd 43rc 44th 45th 46th, 47th and 4.&~’ meetings. In the 37~” meeting heid on 26th February 2016 proposal was deferred till the receipt of the ESZ proposal from the State Government. In 4lPage Ut

the 42nd meeting of the Standing Committee, the State Chief Wildlife Warden informed tha: ESZ proposal of Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary would be finalized and be submitted to the Ministry in one month. In the 43~ meeting of the Standing Corimittee held on 27th July 2017, the State Chief Wildlife Warden sought two months time to submit the revised ESZ proposal. The period of two months ended on 28th August 2017 but no response was received from the Chief Wildlife Warden. As the ESZ proposal was not received from the State Government, the Standing Committee of NBWL in its ~ meeting held on 27~ March 2018 decided to delist the proposal. However recently the State Government has submitted ESZ and is under scrutiny in the Wildlife Division. The IGF(WL) stated that the Chief Wildlife Warden and the NTCA have recommended the ~r:posal with the conditions and mitigat[ve measures. Further the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wild Life has also recommended the proposal in its meeting held on 08/01/2015.

In the 55th meeting The State Chief Wildlife Warden stated :hat the mine area is 916.6 ha of revenue land in three mining blocks namely Block-i, Block-3 and Block-4 situated ahd the join: survey of the proposed area should be carried oLt by team comprising of Field Directcr, Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, representative of NTCA-Tiger Cell and the representative of user agency clearly delineating the area outside the proposed ESZ and the survey report should be submitted to the Ministry for further consideration of the proposal. He requested that Stancing Committee to defer the proposal till the receipt of the sprvey repor..

The IGF(WL) stated that the Joint Survey Report received on 11/12/2019. He stated that the private land of 311.1 ha (Block Ill, IV) out of total 916.6 ha falls within default ESZ of the MukLndra Hills Tiger Reserve. Further he stated that the ESZ proposal was r~ceived from the State Govt. The State Govt. was requested vide letter dated 15/li/20i9 Mr the reasons for proposing 0.0 km ESZ around the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve. He stated that the response is yet be received from the State Govt.

The State Chief Wildlife Warden stated that resurvey as proposed by the Standing Committee has been completed jointly NTCA, State Forest Department and user agency. c:~ut of total 916.6 ha, land of 311.1 ha falls in tow Blocks (Ill, IV) within default ESZ and 6~l5.5 ha falls outside of 10 KM default ESZ of the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve. He further stated that 2% of total project cost (53.9 crores) be charged instead of Rs.30 Iakhs indicated in the recommendations of the State Board for Wild Life.

After discussions, the Standing Committee agreed to recommend subject to revisit ai~id justify the ESZ around Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve.

AGENDA ITEM NO.3 (F! resh Propcsals falling within and outside the Protected Area)

56.3.1 Proposal for wildlife clearance for doubling of existing railway line from Castlerock to Kulem, Goa State

SI Page Hi

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and statec that the proposal is for use of 120.875 ha of land (PA area 113.857 ha + Non-PA area : 7.08 ha) from the Bhagwar Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary for doubling of existing railway line torn Castlerock to Kulem He stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the proposal with the condition that the railway authorities may explore the option of putting some gate in tunnel which can be opened through some mechanical / electronically controlled switches before train arrival so as to ensure the wild animals are not trapped ir some of long tunnels when no train is there in tunnel.

Furthe- the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wilc Life has recommended the proposal in i:s meeting held on 16/12/2017.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided tc recommend the proposal subject to the conditions that

(a) The project proponent will comply with all the conditions imtosed by the State Chief Wildlife Warden. The approved Animal Passage Plan should be implemented by the project proponent. (a) The annual compliance certificate on the stipulated conditions should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wildlife Warden ard an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chief Wildlife Warcen to Govt. of India.

56.3.2 Proposal for wildlife clearance for doubling of existing railway line from Kulem to Madgoan, Goa State

The IGF(WL) briefed the Starding Committee and stated that the proposal is for use of 16.514 ha of land (PA area 14.41 85 ha + Non-PA area 2.095 ha) from the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary for doubling of existing railway line from Kulem to Madgoan. He stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the proposal with the condition that the railway authorities may explore the option of putting some gate in tunnel which can be opened through some mechanical I electronically controlled switches before train arrival so as to ensure the wild animals are not trapped in some of long tunnels when no train is there in tunnel.

Further the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wild Life has recommended the proposal in its meeting held on 16/12/2017.

After discussions, the Standirg Committee decided to recommend the proposal subject to the conditions that

(a) The project proponent will comply with all the conditions imposed by the State Chief Wildlife Warden. The approved Animal Passage Plan should be implemented by the project proponent. (b) The annual compliance certificate on the stipulated conditions should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wildlife Warden ard an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chief Wildlife Warcen to Govt. of India.

6 P ~i ge I,,

56.3.3 Proposal for use of 0.2785 ha of land of Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary for developing facility for pilgrims visiting Ambaji Temple on Girnar hill, District Junagadh, Gujarat State

The lGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and statec :hat the proposal is for use of 0.2785 ha of land from the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary for developing infrastructure facili:~, for pilgrims visiting Ambaji Temple on Girnar hill. He stated :hat the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the proposal with the following conditions:

(1) The user agency shall not violate any regulatory provisions under Section 9, 17A, 2~, 29, 31, 32 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. (2) The user agency shall not harm or destroy wildlife habitat inDiuding fauna and flora of the sarctuary. (3) The user agency shall not use the area for the proposec work other than the area permitted. (4) The user agency shall not establish any temporary or permanent labour camp in the sanctuary. (5) The user agency or his contractor shall not create ary fire places inside the sanctuary. (6) All the material required for the work shall be prepared outside the sanctuary (7) The work in the sanctuary will be allowed only in the day time from 8.0 AM to 7.0 PM (8) Approval under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 shall be obtained separately for use of forestland. (9) The user agency shall deposit NPV for the use of land of Drotected area as per the existing rates. (10) The user agency shall create nature interpretation center as per design and content approved by Forest Department within the proposed area (11) The user agency shall prepare wildlife mitigation plan and iet it approved from the CWLW before start of the work. The budget for the same snould be made available separately.

Further the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wild Lfe has recommended the proposal in its meeting held on 20/11/2018.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to recommend the proposal subject to the conditions that

(a) The project proponent will comply with all the conditions nposed by the State Chief Wildlife Warden. (b) The annual compliance certificate on the stipulated condijons should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wildlife Warden and an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chief Midlife Warden to Govt. of India.

56.3.4 Proposal for~ use of 5.2937 ha of forestland from Velavadar Black Buck National Park for widening and strengthening of existing Dholera Express Way (Sarkhej-Vataman-Bhavnagar road) by National Highway Authority of India, Ahmedabad, Gujarat State 7J Page 117

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated that the proposal is for use of 52937 ha of land from the Velavadar Black Buck National Park for widening and strengthening of NH-751 from Pipli to Bhavnagar (Section-i from km 136/025 (design Ch 136/0 to 169/328 (Design Ch 169/308) from existing 10 m wide oad to four lanning road. He stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommenced the proposal with the following conditions:

(1) The User Agency shall not violate any regulatory provisions under section-9, 1 7A, 27, 29, 30, 31 & 32 of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. (2) The User Agency shall not harm or destroy wildlife habitat ncluding fauna and flora of the Velavadar National Park. (3) The User Agency shall not use the area for the proposed work other than the area permitted. (4) The User Agency shall not establish any temporary or permanent labour camp in the National Park. (5) The User Agency or his contractor shall not create any fire places inside the Nationa Park. (6) All the material required for the work shall be prepared outsice the National Park. (7) The work in the National Park will be allowed only in the day time from 8 AM to 6 PM. (8) Approval under Forest Conservation Act, 1980, if required, shall be obtained separately for use of forest land. (9) The user agency shall deposit NPV for the use of land & Protected Area as per the existing rates. (10) The User Agency provide fly over of 1375 meters, lengtn. on the section of road passing through National Park. (11) The User Agency shall prepare Wildlife Mitigation Plan and which shall be approved by Chief Wildlife Warden.

Further the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wild Life has recommended the proposal in its meeting held on 20/11/2018.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to recommend the proposal subject to the conditions that

(a) The project proponent will comply with all the conditions mposed by the State Chief Wildlife Warden. The aj5proved Animal Passage Plan shoulc be implemented by the project proponent. (b) The annual compliance certificate on the stipulated conditions should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wildlife Warden and an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chief Wildlife Warden to Govt. of India.

56.3.5 Proposal for construction of Karera - Bhitarwar concrete road of 18.825 km length in Karera Wildlife Sanctuary under NDB project by M P Road Development Corporation Ltd., Madhya Pradesh State

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated that the proposal is for use of 6.5965 ha of revenue land for construction of concrete road frcm Karera to Bhitarwar of 18.825 km length with shoulders both side of road inside Karera Wildlife Sanctuary and 12.575 km road (Total length 31.40 km) in the ESZ of Karera Wflclife Sanctuary. He stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the proposal with the conditions

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that adequate safeguards be followed and all the construction material be brought from outside the sanctuary by the user agency.

Further the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wild Life has recommended the proposal in its meeting held on 26/09/2018.

Affer discussions, the Standing Committee decided to -ecommend the proposa subject to the conditions that

(a) The project proponent will comply with all the conditions imposed by the State Chief Wildlife Warden. The approved Animal Passage Plan shou~d be implemented by the project proponent: (b) The annual compliance certificate on the stipulated conditions should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wildlife Warden and an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chief Wildlife Warcen to Govt. of India.

56.3.6 Proposal for construction of 220 kV transmission line (3.03 km) and 10 towers in 10.51 ha revenue land of Dhulet Amodia and Songarh villages in Sardarpur Wildlife Sanctuary, and 220 kV transmission line (20.3 km) 45 towers constructed in 46.34 ha revenue land in 10 km periphery of Sardarpur Wildlife Sanctuary of Sprng Vayu Vidyut Private Ltd.. Madhya Pradesh State

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated fiat the proposal is for use of 10.51 ha of revenue land from the Sardarpur Wildlife Sanctuary construction of 220 kV electric transmission line (length of 3.04 km) and 10 towers requiring 10.51 ha revenue land of Dhulet Amodia and Songarh villages located inside Sardarpur Wildlife Sanctuary; 220 kV transmission line (20.3 km) and 45 towers requiring 46.34 ha revenue land located in default 10 km of Sardarpur Wildlife Sanctuary. He stated :hat the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the proposal with the following conditions:

(1) 5% of project cost in the sanctuary area and 2% of project cost out of sanctuary area is proposed to be paid by user agency. (2) Insulated wires will be used in the protected areas.

Further the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wild Life has recommended the proposal in its meeting held on 08/01/2015.

The State Chief Wildlife Warden informed that the user agency is desired to for underground laying of 220 kV transmission line in the proiected area. The Standing Committee is agreed to the requisition of the user agency.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to recommend the proposal subject to the conditions that

(a) The project proponent will comply with all the conditions inrosed by the State Chief Wildlife Warden. The use of insulated transmission line caDles over the ground / or underground transmission line cables passing through the protected areas should be the first priority of the user agency.

9lPage RI

(b) The annual compliance certificate on the stipulated condi~ons should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wildlife Warden and an annua~ compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chief Wildlife Warden to Govt. of India.

56.3.7 Proposal for construction of high level bridge and approach road in Parvati

River in km 20/10 on Sheopur (Madhya Pradesh) - Khatoli (Rajasthan) road in National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh State

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated rat the proposal is for use of 0.951 ha of land (revenue area from PA: 0.896 ha + revenue area from ESZ 0.670 ha) from the Na:ional Chambal Sanctuary for construction of high le~.el bridge located adjacei: to already existing bridge across Parwati river on Sheopur Kha~oli Road at km 20/10. He stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the proposal with the following conditions:

(1) The user agency should pay 5% of the project cost to the W Id Life Corpus fund. (2) No corstruction work should take place on the proposed sce without prior permission from Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. (3) No labour camps should be sited within the boundary of National Chambal Sanctuary. (4) No work should be carried out during the night time in the sanctuary area. (5) A committee comprising of Wild Life Officials of the sanctuary and use agency should be formed for continuous monitoring in the sanctuarj area during the entire constrLction period of the project. (6) User agency should establish the Environment Managemert Cell for implementation of conditions imposed by different agencies and constructon in environment friendly manner. Continuous monitoring of water quality of River ~arwati on upstream and downstream from construction site should be carried out. If at any stage of construction, the deterioration in water quality is observed, the user agency will immediately take adequate measures to bring back the water quality level up to established baseline. (7) Any kind of storage of construction material within the distance of 100 m from the river will not be allowed. (8) Construction of bridge should not result in the modification of river flow. (9) Procurement of construction material viz, sand, soil, stone etc. from sanctuary will not be allowed.

Further the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wild Lffe has recommended the proposal in its meeting held on 11/10/2019.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to -ecommend the proposal subject to the conditions that

(a) The project proponent will comply with all the conditions imDosed by the State Chief Wildlife Warden.

10 I P g (b) The annual compliance certifcate on the stipulated conditions should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wildlife Warden and an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chief Wildlife Warden to Govt. of India.

56.3.8 Proposal for construction of 765 kV electric line across Son and Gopad River and 17 towers on the bank of the both rivers in Son Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary and its eco-sensitive zone by Power Grid Corporation, Singro!i. Madhya Pradesh State

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and statec :nat the proposal is for use of 36.0292 ha of land (revenue are from PA: 11.2292 ha + revenue area from ESZ : 26.BC ha) from the Son Gharial Sanctuary for construction of two tcwers on the bank Son river and two towers on the bank of Gopad river for electric transmission line across the rivers in Son Ghoriai Wildlife Sanctuary and 13 towers in the ESZ of Son Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary. He stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the proposal with all the conditions imposed by the SBWL.

Furthr the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wild Lire has recommended the proposal in its meeting held on 11/10/2019.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to recommend the proposal subject to the conditions that

(a) The project proponent will comply with all the conditions intosed by the State Chief Wildlife Warden. The use of insulated transmission line cables over the ground I or underground transmission line cables passing through the protected areas should be the first priority of the user agency. (b) The annual compliance certificate on the stipulated condtlions should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wildlife Warden and an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chief Wildlife Warden to Govt. of India.

56.3.9 Proposal for enhancing limestone mining from 2.824 MTPA to 4.324 MTPA in the mining lease area of 588.59 ha situated at villages Bherda, Jai Surjana & Nagri, Tehsil Chittorgarh, District Chittorgarh, Rajasthan State

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated that the proposal is for enhancing limestone mining from 2.824 MTPA to 4.324 MTPA in the mining lease area of 588.59 ha situated at villages Bherda, Jai Surjana and Nagri, Tehsil Chittorgarh, District Chittorgarh by open cast mechanized method located at 8.30 km away from the boundary of Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary. He stated that the State Chef Wildlife Warden has recommended the proposal with the following conditions:

(1) 2% of the proportional project cost of the falling within ESZ of PA should be deposited in RPACS by the user agency for management end protection of wildlife ir the state as corpus. (2) No work shall be done before 7.0 A.M and after 9.0 PM sunset in the project area.

11 P a g e (3) Non material of any kind should be extracted from the PA and ESZ. (4) There will be no felling of trees and burning of fuel wood ns;de the PA and ESZ. (5) The waste material generated should be disposed outside the PA and ESZ. (6) There will be no labour camp within 1.0 km from the bouncary of the PA. (7) No blasting will be carried out within 1.0 km from the boundary of the PA during the work. (8) Green belt should be created by the user agency on the perphery of the project area. (9) Water harvesting structure for recharging of water shoula be mandatory in the projec: area. (10) There shall be no high mast / beam / search lights & higr sounds within 1 km from PA boundary. (11) Signages regarding information about the wild animals V the area, control of The traffic volumes, speed, etc., should be erected in PA. (12) The user agency and project personnel will comply with the provisions of the Wid Life (Protection), Act, 1972. (13) Reclamation of mined out areas. The mined out area shoui: be back filled with waste material and later on planted. The dumps shall be afforested with local grass and plant species. All along the edge of the pit fencing will be made and afforested with good fruit bearing species. (14) User agency will submit yearly compliance report to DCF(L), Chittorgarh about the compliance of above condition and conservation plan implementation report as submitted.

Further the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wild Ufe has recommended the proposal in its 13.09.201 8.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to recommend the proposal subject to the conditions that

(a) The project proponent will comply with all the conditions imposed by the State Chief Wildlife Warden. (b) The annual compliance certificate on the stipulated condthons should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wildlife Narden and an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State C[ief Wildlife Warden to Govt. of India.

56.3.10 Proposal for renewal of road from Karanpur - Mandrial road 0/0 to 10/0,1510 to 19/0,26/0 to 29/0, 33/0 to 40/0 (MDR-3A), Rajasthan State

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated tiat the proposal is for use of 29.9998 ha of land (PA area : 3.6878 ha + revenue area from Non-PA : 26.312 ha) for strengthening of existing damaged BT road from Karanpur - Mandrial road 0/0 to 10/0,15/0 to 19/0, 26/0 to 29/0, 33/0 to 40/0 (MDR-3A) falling in the buffer of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. He stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the proposal with the following conditions:

12 I P a g e (1) 5% of project cost of the area falling within the protected area should be depositec in Rajasthan Protected Area Conservation Society by the user agency for management and protection of wildlife in the State as a corpus as per MoEF&CC letter no. Fl -20/2014 WL(pt) dated 28/10/2015. (2) Speed breakers will be constructed at interval decided by DCF inside the protectec area. (3) No work shall be done before sunrise and after sunset in the protected area. (4) There will be no felling of trees and burning of fuel wooc inside the protected area and Eco-sensitive Zone. (5) The waste material generated should be disposed outside the Eco-sensitive Zone. (6) There will be no labour camp within 1 km from the boundary of protected area. (7) No blasting will be carried out within 1 km from the boundary of protected area during the work. (8) There shall be no high mast / beam / search lights anc high sounds within 1 km from the protected area boundary. (9) Signages regarding information about the wild animals in the area, control of traff~c volumes, speed, etc., should be erected in the project area in consultation with DCF. (10) Maintenance activity of any nature should be carried out only after seeking formal approval from competent authority of the protected area. (11) For use of the forestland the user agency will obtain permission / approval under Forest Conservation Act, 19780 from the competent aLibority before start of the project work as per order of Hon’ble Supreme Court crcer dated 28/03/2008 and 03/2007-FC dated 05/02/2009. (12) Where diversion of forestland is not required, non-forestry use of revenue lands NPV as per the order 05/02/2009 will be realized. (13) The user agency and project personnel will comply with the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Further the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wild Life has recommended the proposal in its meeting held on 13.09.201 8.

The NTCA has recommended the project with following conditions and mitigative measures:

(i) Legal status of the road passing through the forestland shaF remain unchanged. (N) No existing drainage system should be disrupted by the user agency for constructing the road. (Hi) Construction work should be during daytime and no nigh: camp •of labours and contractor/user agency officials inside or within 2 km of forestland should be allowed. User agency should also monitor that no labour gets involved in extraction of forest products. Local RFO and forest staff should pay regular and sudden visits to the construction sites for monitoring these activities. (iv) The mate-ials for road works (ncluding the top soil) should be procured from outside the forest areas. The user agency should not use any fire hazardous materials machinery, polythene bags etc. during the road work. There will be no felling of trees and burning of fuel wood inside the tiger reserve area.

13 I P a g e Government of India Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Wildlife Division) 6tb Floor, Vayu Wing Indira Paryavaran Rhawan ~gg Jor Bagh Road, Aliganj New Delhi 110003 F.No.6-2/2020 WL Date: 20.04.2020

To

All Members Standing Committee of NBWL

Sub: Minutes ~ 57th Meeting of the Standing Committee of Natiora~ Board for Wild Life- reg.

Sir / Madam,

Kindly find enclosed copy of the minutes of S7~~ Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life held on 07th April 2020 through Video Conference under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Yours faithfufly.

~ w •~r~’— ~

(Dr Pasupala Ravi) Scientist C End: As above Distribution (1) Secretary, MoEF&CC (2) DGF&SS, MoEF&CC (3) ADGF(WL), MoEF&CC (4) ADGF(FC), MoEF&CC (5) Member Secretary, NTCA (6) Director/IGF, P8 Division (7) Director, Wll, Dehradun (8) Director, GEER Foundation, Gandhinagar (9) Dr. R. Sukumar, Member, NBWL (10) Dr. H.S. Singh, Member, NBWL (11) Pr. Secretary, Forest Dept., Gcvt. of Andhra Pradesh

Copy to (1) PS to Honble MoEF&CC (2) Ps to Hon’ble MoSEF&CC (3) PPS to DGF&SS, MoEF&CC (4) PPS to AddI.DGF(WL), PPS to IGF(WL) (5) CWLW Assam / CWLW Arunachal Pradesh / CWLW Bihar / CWLW Soa / CWLW Gujarat / CWLW Jharkhand / CWLW Karnataka / CWLW Kerala /CWLW M~dhya Pradesh / CWLW Maharashtra / CWLW Meghalaya / CWLW Odisha / CWLW Rajasthan / CWLW Uttarakhand / CWLW Uttar Pradesh / CWLW Telangana MINUTES OF 57thi MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF NATIONAL BOARD FOR WILD LIFE HELD ON 07r APRIL, 2020

The 57~ Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life was held on 07th April 2020 through Video Conference and chaired by the —lon’ble Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change. List of participants is placed at ANNEXURE-I.

Hon’ble Chairman welcomed all the participants to the 57~~ Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life and asked IGF(WL) :o initiate the discussions on Agenda [tems.

AGENDA ITEM No.1

56.1.1 Confirmation of the minutes of the 56th Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life held on ~ December 2019

The IGF(WL) mentioned that the minutes of the 56~’ Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life held on 17th Decemoer 2019 were circulated amongst all members of the Standing Committee on 2lstJanuary 2020.

He stated that the comments I suggestions have beer received from Prof. R. Sukumar, Member through E-Mail dated 08th February 2020 on Agenda Item No. 56.4.1 Proposal fcr strengthening and black topping of old existing road from Chillarkhal to Laldhang passing through buffer zone of Rajaji National Panc Uttarakhand State.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to contm the recommendations of the previous meeting.

55.4.17 Proposal of MIs. Associated Stone Industries (Kota) limited for expansion and renewal of Kota Stone production in mining lease No.1/89 situated in Tehsil Ramganj mandi, District Kota, Rajasthan

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and sta:ed that the proposal was considered by the Standing Committee of NBWL in its 37th 36th 3gth 40th 41st 42nd 43rd 44th 45th 46th 47th and 48Th meetings. He further statec~ that the proposal was recommended by the Standing Committee in its 56~ meeting subject to revisit and justification of the proposed ESZ around Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve. Now, the draft notification for the ESZ for Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve has already been notified on 10.01.2020.

After discussions, the Standing Committee opined that he recommendation made in its 56th meeting may be deemed to be the final recommendation.

1 I P a g AGENDA ITEM No.2 (Action Taken Report)

54.4.3 Proposal for use of 98.59 ha of reserve forestland from Saleki proposed reserve forest which is a part of Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve for Tikok OCP coal mining project by North-Eastern Coal Reid, Coal India Limited, Assam State

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated that the proposal was considered n the 54~” meeting held on 18th July 2019 wherehi it was decided that a committee comprising of Prof R Sukumar, Member NBWL, representative from the Wildlife Division and the State Chief Wildlife Warden would visit the proect site and submit report to this Ministry within one month. Further the Ministry may alec arrange for meeting with officials of Coal India Limited as advised by the chair. He stated that the Site Inspection Committee visited project site and submitted report on 22/10/2012.

Prof. R. Sukumar, Member stated that 57.20 ha of fcrestland has already been broken up by the user agency and the balance area of 41.39 ha unbroken land, cautious approach need to be adopted in the light of the rich biodiversity. The proposed area is on a steep hill slope that is part of the Dehing Patkai Elephant reserve adjoining good forest area in the neighboring State of Arunachal Pradesh which includes Deomali Elephant Reserve with a sizeable population of elephants. He also stated that it would be prudent to preserve the basic integrity of this forested hill slope.

The IGF (WL) stated that a meeting with officials of Coal India Limited, officials of MoEFCC was held on 21.01.2020 under the chairmanship ~f Hon’ble MEFCC, and several information was sought from the User Agency and also several suggestions were made.

After detailed discussions, the Standing Committee deciced that the User Agency should submit the following for further consideration:

(a) The proposal for broken up area is recommended tor approval subject to submission of a rectified site specific mine reclamation plan in consultation with the Assam Forest Department. (b) For the unbroken area, the matter will be considered after :ie User Agency submits a feasibility report for underground mining, and also sunmits compliance report regardng fulfillment of all other conditions as recommended in the meeting held on 21st January 2020.

54.4.24 Proposal for use of 12.885 ha private land of Schagra Graphite Mine situated near Village Sohagra, District Palamu, Jharkhand State

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stazec that the proposal was considered by the Standing Committee in its 54th meeting held Dfl j8th July 2019 wherein it was decided to deliberate discussions in the forthcoming meeting. The IGF(WL) stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the projeix with conditions.

2JPage Further the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wild .Jfe has recommended the proposal in its meeting held on 23/05/2018. The NTCA has also recommended the project with the conditions and mitigative measures.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to -ecommend the proposai subject to the conditions that

(a) The project proponent will comply with all the conditions iriwosed by the State Chi& Wildlife Warden and the NTCA. (a) The annual compliance certificate on the stipulated conditions should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wildlife Warden and an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chief Wildlife Warden to Govt. of India.

AGENDA ITEM NO.3 (Fresh Proposals falling within and outside the Protected Area)

57.3.1 Requisition for amendment in the in approval of Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life granted for maintenance I improvement of Miao Vijoynagar Road (MV Road) (100.5 km) in its 32K~ Meeting the realignment of road at two stretches to ensure negotiable condition of road for better implementation of Tiger Conservation Plan (TO’) of Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh State

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated that the proposal is for amendment in the approval of Standing Committee of Nationa’ Board for Wild Life granted for maintenance / improvement of Miao-Vijoynagar Road (MV Road) (100.5 km) in its 32rjd meeting. The State Government has requested now for the realignment of road at two stretches to ensure negotiable condition of road for better implementation of Tiger Conservation Plan (TCP) of Namdapha Tiger Reserve. He stated that the proposed realignment of the road will be beneficial for effective protection & management of the PA for various reasons as under:

(i) At present only about 10% of the total area of the PA is accessible for protection and management for want of road communication inside the PA. The TCP of the PA stresses on creation, improvement and maintenance of roads for effective protection & management of the Tiger Reserve. The proposed alignment will provide stable sub-grade for the stability of the road. Therefore, it will help in continuous movement of the vehicles for the purpose cf effective protection and management. Without realignment at the two stretches tie road would virtually be unutilisable due to unstable soil condition in these stretches, (N) The proposed alignment will provide the opportunity for ~eating the anti-poaching camp and watch tower facilities nearby the habitations of Lishu communities residing in the Namdapha Tiger Reserve so that necessary check can be kept on poaching till the relocation of these communities outs~de the Namdapha Tiger Reserve. (Ni) Total length of the road passing through Namdapha Tiger Reserve will be reduced by 11.88 km that is from 100.50 km 88.62 km. Thus there will be a net gain of an area of 7.616 hectares due to shortening of the road.

SI Page I”

(iv) The proposed realignment being river bank of Noa Dehhg river is bamboo bearing area and comparatively open area with very sparse -see cover which can be retained without felling unless unavoidable circumstances. (v) Existing unstable and erosion prone alignment of the road will be made available for afforestation and eco-restoration which will help in improving the habitat of the ~4ld an i rrtals. (vi) After completion of this proposed re-alignment, around 4438 people of Vijoynagar area and Wildlife & Forest Department will be benefitted. (vii) The Animal Passage Plan and various other mitigation :lans are proposed as per Wildlife Mitigation Plan submitted herewith which may be strictly adhered to.

The IGF(WL) also stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the proposal or the ground that negotiability of the MV road is essential for implementation of Tiger Conservation Plan and sub ect to the condition that

(a) Wildlife Mitigation Plan and Animal Passage Plan will be strictly implemented. (b) Area of existing road in Stretch- I (between 32 miles to 53 mile) and Stretch-Il (between 61 miles and 64 miles) will be eco-restored by way of afforestation / habitat improvement as per Tiger Conservation Plan. (c) Anti-poaching Camps and Watch Towers will be established at two places in these 2 stretches of realigned roads.

Further the IGF(WL) stated that the NTCA has also recommended the project with the following conditions and mitigation measures:

(1) Realignment would entail making gaps in the canopy by rerioval of vegetation. Since this would be detrimental for arboreal species like gibbons and flying squirrels that need continuous canopy therefore realignment should 9ot be done where critically required due to engineering issues. (2) As per the proposal, the reaignment of the road is primarily in the valley habitats that are vital for wildlife. Therefore, realignment in valley habitats may be avoided as much as possible. An alternate alignments to the realignments proposed at the 32 miles are proposed wherein the user agency need to align the road by connecting the existing road in between the coordinates of ~i) Startl-27°28’46.56”N, 96°31’L6.88”E, End 1- 27°28’27.99”N, 96°32’59.44”E ard (ii) Start 2-27°27’52.14”N, 96°34’23.1O”E and End 2- 27°27’27’2.09”N, 96°36’33.53”E instead of alignment along he river and valley habitats. The technical feasibility of this alignment should be worked out by the user agency in consultation with tiger reserve management and NTCA in the interest of wildlife. Moreover, if this propose alternate alignment is not at all feasible technically then realignment should only be done where critically required due to engineering issues and not along the entire current4y proposed length of the alignments with adequate underpasses for ensuring wildlife connectivity. (3) Entire stretch of the proposed road should have wildlife ‘rossing structures of an approximate interval of every 4-5 km (underpasses with minimum span of 20 m with a height of 5 m) [as per NTCA: WIl report on Eco-friendly measures to mitigate impacts of linear infrastructure on wildlife]. (4) To facilitate elephant movements, which are found n Namdapa tiger reserve additionally underpasses with a minimum span of 30 m with a height of 8-10 m should be constructed at an approximate interval of every 10 km along the entire stretch of the road. Moreover, existing drainage culverts can also be retrofitted for using them as animal passage structures.

41 Page 13’

(5) Exact dimensions, design and placement of the underpasses should be finalized after a joint survey done by the user agency and Forest Department of Arunachal Pradesh in consultation with the NTCA and Tiger Cell offlc~als. (6) Once the realignment are in place, the existing alignmerts at 32 miles, 61 miles, etc., should be entirely decommissioned and allowed to be taken over by the forest. No existing drainage should be blocked due to construction Df the road. (7) The proposed road should be used mainly for National Defiance, patrolling by forest department staff and by the local tribal communities nhabiting within the tiger reserve. Therefore, no commercial activities I establishments should be permitted along the road side, and active vigil should be maintained to prevent such activity in the future. Ply o traffic at night should be permitted in order to avoid disturbance and wildlife mortality. (8) No construction materials should be collected from forests and the debris should be dumped outside the tiger reserve. No construction work should be permitted at night. (9) The Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Arunachal Pradesh should constitute a monitoring committee comprising of the members from Nampdapa Tiger reserve, NTCA Regional Office and WIl Tiger Cell to oversee that the project and its implementation is in strict adherence to the suggested mitigation measures as above.

Dr. Sukumar and the PCCF & HoFF, Arunachal Pradesh gave certain observations regarding the new alignment. They stated that the suggested new alignment passes through the valley/riverine habitat and there are chances of the road with new alignment getting flooded during the monsoon making it unusable.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided that the NTCA shall revisit the previous alignment and also suggest their point of view on the proposed new alignmen: and submit its report within 30 days from the date of issue of the minutes.

57.3.2 Proposal for use of 85.50 ha land (forestland: 48.3 ha + PA land: 11.54 ha ÷

Non-PA land: 36.76 ha) for laying of LILO of one CKT of Narendra (existing) — Narendra (new) 400 kV DIG quad transmission line at Xeldem, Goa State

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and statec that the proposal is for use of 85.50 ha land (forestland: 48.3 ha + PA land: 11.54 ha + Non-PA land : 36.76 ha) for

laying of LILO of one CKT of Narendra — Narendra 400 kV D/C quad transmission line of 2.51 km and 46 m width of forestland of sanctuary. He stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the proposal with the condition That the user agency may install towers in such a way that minimum trees are required to be felled and the construction / installation work should not have adverse impact on wildlife habitat.

Further the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wild Life has recommended the proposal in its meeting held on 02/12/2019.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to recommend the proposal subject to the conditions that

(a) The project proponent will comply with all the conditions imposed by the State Chief Wildlife Warden.

SI Page ‘7,

(b) The annual compliance certificate on the stipulated conditions should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wildlife Wardei and an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chief Wildlife Warden to Govt. of India.

57.3.3 Proposal for use of 32.085 ha land (PA land :31.015 ha + Non-PA land : 1.887

ha) for 4-lanning of existing NH-4A in Anmod — Mollem Section from km

841133 to km 971000 in the Goa — Karnataka border, Goa State

The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee and stated that the proposal is for use of 32.085 ha land (PA land: 31 .015 ha + Non-PA land: 1.887 ha) for 4-lanning of existing

NH-4A in Anmod — Mollem Section from km 84/133 to km 9~/O00 passing through the sanctuary. He also stated that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the proposal with the following conditions:

(1) As the terrain is undulating with heavy rainfall and gradient above 30 cm, tie construction of road along the road is highly vulnerable to soil erosion as such all precautions measures are to be taken to control soil erosior and washout of soil in tie forest streams. The precautions are to be taken in respect to soil erosion by construction of rubble wall bandaras across the contour lines so that soil should not wash away and soil erosion is controlled. The site is inspected and all possible under passes are recommended with dimensions as per the &ze of animals. These under passes will reduce the death of wildlife by accidents. The user agency should in particular look often this factors while execution of the projec:. (2) User agency will also undertake works of putting proper sigrage to control speed limit to allow wild animals on priority not to light fire in wildlife sanctuary area not to litter in wildlife sanctuary area, not to park vehicles unnecessariy. Similarly put a proper big board at entry point on both sides to cautions vehicles that they are entering wildlife sanctuary. The structure like fire watch towers, view pornts for public, toilets, and portable drinking water facilities should be provided.

Further the IGF(WL) stated that the State Board for Wild Life has recommended the proposal in its meeting held on 02/12/2019.

After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to -ecommend the proposal subject to the conditiQns that

(a) The project proponent will comply with all the conditions hposed by the State Chief Wildlife Warden. The Animal Passage Plan should be mplemented by the user agency. (b) The annual compliance certificate on the stipulated condi:ions should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wildlife Warden and an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chieff Wildlife Warden to Govt. of India.

57.3.4 Proposal for use of 2.00 ha of forestland from Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary for laying of underground electric line on Girnar hill, Ta. Junagadh City, Distt. Junagadh, Junagadh, Gujarat State 6JPage JR

ANNEXURE I LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

I Shri Prakash ~Javadekar, Hon’ble Minister for EF&CC Chairman 2 Shri Babul Supriyo, Hon’ble Minister of State for EF&CC Special Invitee 3 Shri C K Mishra, Secretary, MoEF&CC Member 4 Shri Sanjay Kumar, DGF&SS, MoEF&CC Member 5 Dr Anup Kr Nayak, ADGF(’\TCA) Invitee 6 Prof R Sukumar, Member, NBWL Member 7 Dr H S Singh, Member, NEWL Member 8 Shri R 0 Kamboj, Member, NBWL Member 9 Dr Dhananjay Mohan, Member, NBWL Member 10 Shri Ajay Saxena, PCCF&HoFF, Arunachal Pradesh Invitee 11 Shri G Kumar, CWLW Arunachal Pradesh Invitee 12 Shri M IC Yadava, CWLW, Assam Invitee 13 Shri Prabhat Kumar Gupta. CWLW, Bihar Invitee 14 Shri Santhosh Kumar, CWLW, Goa Invitee 15 Shri Sanjay Kumar Sisodiya, rep. of CWLW, Gujarat Invitee 16 Shri P. K. Verma, CWLW, Jharkhand Invitee 17 Shri Han Shankar Upadhyay, CWLW, Odisha Invitee 18 Shri Liandanwala, CWLW, Mizoram Invitee 19 Shri Arindam Tomar, CWLW, Rajasthan Invitee 20 Shri Sunil Pandey, CWLW, Uttar Pradesh Invitee 21 Shri Rajiv Shartari, CWLW, Uttarakhand Invitee 22 Smt R. Sobha, CWLW, Telangana Invitee 23 Shri Soumitra Dasgupta. IGF(WL), MoEF&CC Invitee 24 Shri Nishant Verma, DIGF(NTCA) Invitee ~ 25 Shni Rakesh Kr Jagenia, DIGF(WL, MoEF&CC Invitee 26 Shri P Ravi, Scientist, MoEF&CC Invitee

42 I P a g CENTRAL EMPOWERED COMMITTEE (CONSTITUED BY THE HON’BLE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA IN WRIT PETITION NO. 202/95 AND 171/96) II Floor, Chankaya Rhawan, Chankayapuri, New Delhi —21, Tel: 2161 0612, 2161 0613 Fax~ 2410 1925—

F..No. 2-77!CECISCI2OIS Dated : 19.2.2020

To The Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change Wildlife Division, 6th Floor, Vayu Wing Indira Paryavarati Bhawan Jor Bagh, Aliganj New Delhi

Sub : Minutes of the 56th Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife held on 17th December 2019. Sir The Standing Committee of the NBWL at its 56~ Meeting held on December 2019 has, amongst others, considerec / recommended the followiig two proposals:

i) Agenda !tem No. 56.3.1: Proposal for Wildlife ciearance for doubling of existing railway line from Castlerock to Kulem, Goa State

H) Agenda Item No;56.3.2 : Proposal for Wildlife clearance for doubling Of existing railway line frohi Kulem to Madgaon, Gca State

The CEC in terms of the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order dated 5,10.20~5 with regard to the matters relating to National Parks and Sanctuaries, in the present context involving Bhagwan Mahaveer Sancutary, would like to examine the above two proposals. It is therefore requested that all the relevant papers including Application made by the Applicant, Site Inspection Reports and copies of documents / presentations. if any, made by the Applicant may be sent to the CEC for further consideration. Yours faithfully

Member Secreta Copy to: 1. Princial Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Swami Vivekanand Road, Panaji, Goa 403001 2. Divisional Railway Manager, South Western Railways, Hubli CENTRAL EMPOWERED COMMITTEE (CONSTITUED BY THE HON’BLE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA IN WRIT PETITION NO. 202/95 AND ~1/96) II Floor, Chankaya I3hawan, Chankayapuri, New Delhi —21, Tel: 2161 0612, 2161 0613 Fax :24101925

F.No. 2-771CEC15C12015 Dated: 15.9.2020

To The Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change Wildlife Division, 6111 Floor, Vayu Wing Indira Paryavaran Bhawan Jor Bagh, Aliganj, New Delhi

Sub: Minutes of the 57~~ Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife held ~ 7th April 2020. Sir The Standing Committee of the NBWL at its 57th Meeting held on 7th April 2020 has, amongst others, considered / recommended the following two proposals:

i) Agenda Item Na. 5~,3.2 Proposal for use of 85.50 na land (forestland: 48.3 ha ÷ PA land: 11.54 ha + Non-PA land: 36.76 ha) ~or laying of LILO of one

CKT of Narendra (existing) — Narendra (new) 400 kV D/C quad transmission line at Xeldem, Goa State

H) Agenda Item No. 57.3.3: Proposal for use of 32185 ha land (PA land 31 .015 ha + Non-PA land :1.887 ha) for 4-lanning of existing NH-4A in

Anmod — Mollem Section from km 84/133 to km 97/000 in the Goa — Karnataka border, Goa State The CEC in terms of the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s oroer dated 5.10.2015 with regard to the matters relating to National Parks and Sanctuaries, in the present context involving Bhagwan Mahaveer Sancutary, would like to examine the above two proposals. It is therefore requested that all the re~evant papers including Application made by the ApplicaRt, Site Inspection Reports and copies of documents / presentations, if anyç made by the Applicant may’ be sent to the CEC for further consideration.

Yours faithfully

Member Secretary Copy to

1. Princial Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Swami Vivekanand Road, Panaji, Goa 403001 2. Divisional Railway Manager, South Western Railways, Hubli A surrimary of some of the representationsreceived by the CEC raising objections against the proposed Railway Doubling Project (Castle Rock toMadgaon), Goa — Tanmar 400 Ky TransmissionLine Projectand the upgradationof National Highway (NH4A) from Belgavi to Panaji, all of them passingthrough BhagwanMahavirWildlife SanctuaryI NationalPark, Goa

SL. Name Date EmailID Remarks No. JaiRaman 34 21 v~ui98O~gmailcorn

, The Western Ghats have been recognisedby UNESCOas a global biodiversity hotspot.While we recognise the importance of economic~ growth, what must also be considered is sustainable growth that preservesour ecologicalheritage, ourwater resourcesand biodiversity, and climate security. By tampering with forests and damaging environment and killing wildlife, our long term sustainable growth prospectswould be damaged beyond repair.These proposed projects are completelycounterproductive to the interest of ecological and wildlifeconservation and goes against the very spirit of sustainable development. We earnestly entreat again, that the plans for this rail doubling, NH4A highway expansion and the power line be dropped.Respected Sir, surely one must also considerthe massive environmentalcoststhis proposedhighwaywouldentail — like the felling of trees for the rail line, power project and highwayexpansion,with the consequentdeforestationand impact on climate; The pollutionfrom the constructionand the vehicularsnarlon the highway,impactingthe wildlife. Not to forget, the ever present risk of endangeredwildlife being run overby speedingvehicles plying on the road — a horrific consequence repeatedlyseen in highwayspassingthroughforestedareas. p 2

The forestedareasof the WesternChats regionholdthe keyto the water securityof muchof PeninsularIndia.Managedwell, it has the capacityto enhance India’s climate resilience,even as it boosts watersecurity for millions.It is ironicthat in the midst of a globalzoonoticpandemicwhich has been mainly caused by deforestation,ecological degradationand animal trafficking; such ill conceived steps which further degrade the environmentare beingconsidered.Such deforestationand fragmentation of one of the last remainingcontiguousforest patchesin India,damages biodiversity,contributesto climatechange,and increaseshuman-wildlife conflict.Well-protectedforests are crucial economic infrastructuresthat liaivest aiid supplywater,sequeslercarbon,preventair pollulioii,irililgate floods and droughts,fill aquifers, purify river water and greatly reduce human-animalconflicts.

2. ManthanShripad, 22.2.21 manthan.shripad~qmaiI.com Fileda Reporttitled Coordinator, IvicaftL~n+hant “UrgentNational NeedPark toandReviewBhagwanInfrastructureMahaveer InterventionsSanctuary in inGoaLargeMollem AdhyayanKendra, Impacts, Unrealistic Benefits, Options Not Studied” Pune On 400 KV Transmission Line

AlternativesExist,DeliberatelyIgnoredby ExcludingForestand EnvironmentalCriteria

So it is clearthat not onlywas the issueof forest lossknown,but it was known that an earlier permissionhad been obtained only on the conditionthat “no furthertransmissionline shall be laid in the area”.The decisionto approvethe Narendra-Xeldemline (Goa as well as Karnataka section)is in clearcontraventionof this assuranceor condition. 3

To addressthis issue,and subsequentto discussionsin the 38~ meeting of the StandingCommittee,the idea of usingthe Kolhapur-Mapusaroute was also discussed.The Minutesof the 3gth Meetingnoted:

“Subsequently, POWERGRID has suggested Kolhapur (PG) — Colvale (Mapusa)400kV (Quad/HTLS)2nd D/c line and Colvale (Mapusa)- Xeldem(New)400 kV (Quad/HTLS)D/c line alongwith re-conductoringof Sholapur(PG) — Kolhapur400kV DIC line (with HTLS conductor)as the second400 kV feed to Goa.” (Emphasis added)

This clearlyshowsthat there was an alternativeavailableto the line going throughthe wildlifesanctuaryand eco-sensitiveareas. Further,Member, CEA suggested that “that amongst the alternatives suggested, the alternativeinvolvingminimumforest clearanceproblemsmay be finalized as second 400 kV feed to Goa”; but then the meeting discussedand opined that “in all the alternatives[includingthe Kolhapur-Mapusaline] crossing of Western Ghats (forest area) was involved, therefore the alternativewhichis bestfrom powerflow pointof view could befinalized.”

This shows that the decision was clearly based by ignoring and deliberatelyneglectingthe criteriaof impactson forests;for if that criteria was to be considered, then it was not enough to says that “in all alternativesforest area was involved”;it would have been necessaryto considerhowmuchareawouldbe affectedin each route,the qualityof the forest area impacted in each options, the nature and extent of such impact, and then choose the one with minimum impact. Instead, a superficial argumentthat “in each case forest area was involved”was usedto then choose“the alternativewhichis bestfrom powerflow pointof view”.

Last but not the least,the meetingalso notedthat “In case of difficultyin getting RoW [Right of Way] for, implementationof Narendra (existinq) 4

Xeldam400 kV D/Cline,the RoWof the existingSupa-ronda 110kV D/C line (presentlythe lineis not in use)couldbe used.”

Thus, there were two specific options availablefor the transmissionline apartfrom the Narendra-Xeldemroute and it is clear that neitherof them has beenexamined,beforebeing rejected.Thus,the decisionwas taken withoutanydue considerationof the forestand environmentangle.

On doublingof RailwaylineS

“D. Doublingof RailwayLine

The one page justification1given for the doublingof railway line (in the Wildlife Clearanceapplication,Karnatakasection, Castlerock — Kulem, this is also the justificationfor the entire line Hospet-Castlerock-Kulem Vasco)is hardlya justificationbut ratherjust an assertionthat

“Also both Goa and Hospet are tourist destinations. Due to Industrialgrowthand growthin tourists,the existingRailwaysingle line capacity is saturated.To meet the increasingdemand and futuregrowth,the existingRailwaysingleline hasto be doubledso that more and more Goodstrains/Passengertrains can be run to meetthe increasingdemand.To minimizethe land acquisition,this rail doublingis beingdoneparallelto the existingsingleline

We have not been able to locate ahy detailed reports that give any analysisor figuresand projectionsto substantiatethis.

1 However,it is clearthat significantpart of the line is meantfor transportof coal and iron ore. The Biodiversityand EnvironmentalAssessmentreport2 clearlystates

‘This proposeddoublingwork is aimedto assuagethe trafficon the existingroute and increasenumberof passengerand freighttrains to facilitateefficienttransportof coalandiron Ore.”(Page175).

lids doublingol Ilie iailway Uricalso seems to be clearly linked lo Ihe expansionof the jetties at MormugaoPortfor importof coal and exportof iron ore,

The main cargo handled here will be iron ore (export) and coal. Destinationfor mostof the coalwill be Karnataka.

The Draft EIA for the port expansion3gives the commodity-wiseforecast for the cargohandlingat the port.This showsthat by 2030,coal (thermal and metallurgical),will constitute61% of the total cargo handledat the port, while iron ore will constitute16%.All of the coal is imports,whereas, interestingly,iron ore handledis projectedto constitute8.5 milliontons of exportand 4.6 milliontons of import.Coal handledis projectedto consist of 14.37milliontons of thermaland36.7milliontons of cokingcoal.

3. GoyantKollso 24.1.21 qoyantkollsonaka~gmaiI.com Objectionshavebeenraisedagainstdoublingof railwaylines. Naka,Goa And 23 other The doubling of the South Western Railwaytrack from i______signatories Ilospetto Vasco-Da-Gama,will not only severelyimpacttheseforests, but also affect our land resources,farms lands,marine life and heritage houses,some of them over 500 yearsold, but the fugitive coal-dust (with a particulate size of lesserthan 2.5 microns)will irreversiblypollute the natural resourcesof air, land and water making it practically impossibleto sustain a healthy life and livelihood. To this effect, over 189 Panchayatbodies including Gram Sabhas had over the years passedresolutions againstthe ill effects of fugitive coal- dust pollution andthe nuisanceof noisepollution, severevibrations causedby the passingof these rakesthrough their locality 24x7 resulting in damageto their heritagehomes.

Theseforests are extremelybio-diversein terms of flora and fauna with some speciesendemicto this bio-diversity hot spot and have immense“alue and potential not only to the State of Goabut to the entire WesternGhatsregion serving as a very crucial link between the fragile ecosystemand human sustenancefor generationsto come.

Besidesthe rich and diversespeciesof flora and fauna found in our Western Chats,which includesthe BhagwanMahaveerWild LifeSanctuaryand Mollem NationalPark,the Ghatsection is alsothe sourceof fresh water streamsthat feed Coa’sriverswhich residents(aswell aswild & domesticanimals) depend upon for their consumption,irrigation, harvesting fresh water fish which is a livelihood to large sectionsof society,support backwatertourism activities, apartfrom producingbiotic and mineralresources.”

4. GirdharKulkarni 21.1.21 giriki 9~gmaiI.com Objectionhavebeenraisedagainstthe doublingof railwayline.

ECOLOGICALASPECTS: 7

a. The forest areas in and around proposed highway alignmentis

home to many ScheduleI Species (Listed in Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972) like tiger, leopard, gaur, dhole, great Indian hornbill besides many other endangered/endemicspecies and is part of larger tigerlandscape/corridorof the states of Maharashtra,Goa and Karnataka identified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority/Wildlife Instituteof India and hence,the focus shouldbe given to protect these last remainingtiger corridors in the world whichare under greatthreatespeciallydueto linearinfrastructure projects.

b. The proposedalignmentis part of protectedarea networkof the states of Maharashtra,Goa and Karnatakawhich is crucialfor the movementof large mammalsand of greaterimportancein orderto minimizeHuman-WildlifeConflict.

c. The wildlife habitatsand forest areas in and aroundthe proposed alignmenthave been alreadyfragmentedby various projectslike existing National Highway i.e. NH 4A, Hospet- Tinaighat-Vasco railwaylineetc.

d. Major impactsof linear intrusionslike highwaysin forest and wildlife areas are wildlife deaths due to vehicular collisions, habitat loss and degradation,habitatfragmentation,disruptionof wildlifecorridors,clearing vegetationresultingin weedproliferationand suppression of native vegetation regeneration, disturbance during constructionandmaintenance,increaseduse of forest areas for illegal activitiessuch as timber smuggling,hunting,illegal transportof livestock and sand miningetc. Besidesthis, the proposedprojectwill also result in largescaletreefelling. ai __ S Appeal

The preciousforests of Western Ghats should not be sacrificedfor such projectsand must be stronglydiscouraged.Hence,there is no doubtthat the projectis one amongstthe series of ill plannedand improperlycited development projects resulting in parallel alignmentsand massive fragmentationof prime forests of Western Ghats even when alternate rail/road connectivityis available. Proper cost-benefitanalysiswill also

reveal[lie loss Uial wIll causeLa(lie exolicqEici(lila to sud i poor plainiii ig and parallelalignments.”

5. AleixoLouranco, 1.2.21 officerregionaldo~qmaiI.com Objections have been raised against all the three projects. MLA Curtorim As a representative,being duty- boundto listento the voice of people

and my personalviewon howthis will affectSouthGoa.I am not in favour of these destructiveprojects in and around Mollem National Park and BhagwanMahaveerWildlife Sanctuaryand can categoricallystate these projects,especiallythe railwayprojectare not in “public interest”.In this

context,I would like to expressmy seriousconcernsover the clearances grantedfor theseprojectsby the NationalBoardfor Wildlifeduringthe 56th and the 57th meeting of its Standing Committee. Clearancesfor the expansionof NH 4A highwayand layingof 400kvtransmissionline were givenduringthe Covid-19lockdownovera videocall, whensiteinspection and publicconsultationwas not possible.This needsno explaining,to say, that the publicneedsto be takenin to confidencewhile takingsuch major decisions that will directly impact households,livelihoods and forests. Goa’seconomy dependson theseforestsduringoff season.The clearing of trees at the Xeldemsubstationof the transmissionline nearthe wildlife sanctuaryis an undemocraticand unfairact. How citizensaresupposeto corroboratethe number of trees that have been felled and forest area clearedwhentherearetravelrestrictionsdurinóthe pandemic? 9

6. Samir Upadhye 25:1.21 samir.upadhaye~qmail.com Objectionsraised againstthe highwayexpansionproject becauseit will causeirreparabledamageto the forests.

7. Villagers Action 25.1.21 vacadswrt~gmail.com Objectionshavebeenraisedagainstdoublingrailwaytrack.

Committee . Whilstthere has beenno attemptto mitigatethe destructiveimpactof the existingsingletrackon the livesandsubsistenceof villager’s,attemptsare nowbeingmadeto pushthroughdoublingthe trackwith no in depthfield slndy of [he socialimpact,technicalfeasibilityorfinancialviability.

- Doubletrackingis beingplannedon the Rightof Way (ROW)leftby

• ourancestor’son bothsidesof the railtrack.SWR haveno rightto ti ROWwhichcontinuesto be usedas motorable accessto houses

• alongthe existingrailtrack.(ROW presentlyin use slide)

- Plansfor the doubletrack havebeendrawnon surveyplans promulgatedway backin 1968.Theseplansdo not captureland contours.Boththeseaspectsunderestimatethe true impact.Landfilh & retainingwallswill disruptthe areaaroundexistinghousesrenderh them landlocked.(Housesdisruptedand renderedlandlocked—2 slides)

- We nowobserveSWRrestrictingmovementby placingobstaclesin the ROWleft by our ancestors.In areasoverwhich SWRhaveno • • right.(Obstaclesplacedin ROWslide)

- Landfill/hillcutting/erectionof retainingwallsare incompatiblewithtF CoastalDevelopmentRegulationsandzoningas markedin notified Regionalplans. ______— I ThewithinrailthetrackBhagwanaffectsMahavirlives, sustenance,SanctuaryI Nationallands andPark.homesof villagersall

• 10

along the track. The Impactof these projectsmust be viewed in totality and not restrictedonly to the destructionof the wild life, flora and fauna

8. PrernaBindra 23.1.21 bindra.prerna~gmaiLcom All the three projects have been objected to for not following the due Singh process FormerMemberof the Standing Committeeof the CONCERNS NationalBoardfor Crilicalpollus as followsbut liol limaudto. Wildlife

• Irreversible Damage:Theseforeststhat haveexistedfor thousandsof years are irreplaceable.Direct loss of biodiversityand the far-reaching impactsof habitatloss and fragmentationwill reduceecosystemstability and decreaseforestresiliencethat is also requiredto dealwith the effects of climatechange.Thesethree projectscan only be evaluatedthrougha rigorouscumulativeimpactassessmentstudy of all three linear projects within one protectedarea and cannot be looked at in isolation by the MoEF&CCandthe NBWL(asstatedin the letterdated 18thJuly, 2020by academiciansand alliedprofessionals,of whichI am alsoa signatory).

• Water security: Accordingto the community,the villages of Mollem, Sacorda and ColemShigao are already facing acute water supply shortages because local water sources were contaminatedby mining activities.Shouldtheseprojectsgo ahead,water scarcitywill increasenot just aroundthis protectedarea but also across Goa since these forests contributewater to KhanderparRiverthroughprovisioningand regulating services. These impacts will be further be compounded by Climate Changeand associatednatural disasters (as stated in the letter dated

, 16thJuly,2020by scientists& alliedprofessionals.) S ______11

• Livelihoods: “This plan for passing these forest clearances in Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park comes as a devastating blow to us citizens and local business owners in Goa” (as statedin the letter dated29thJuly, 2020submittedby citizensof Goaand

small-businessowners).1n addition to the two submissions made by the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa and 150 tourism stake-holders, they voiced their concerns about how these forest clearances would mute any opportunity to make Goa a global leader in sustainable tourism (letter dated30thJuly, 2020by tourismindustsy.

o Public Health: There is adequate scientific research to show associationsbetweenlarge?caleand unsustainableforestdestructionand emerginginfectiousdiseases.Destructionof fragileecosystemsincreases our chancesof beingexposedto noveletiologicagentsof manydiseases such as SARS,Ebola,Nipahand now COVID-1,that the countryand the worldis currentlyreelingunder(as statedin the letterdated9thJuly, 2020 by medicalcollegestudents). o Inter-generational equity must be preserved: As students have pointed out this issue has to be viewed through the concerns of a generationthat bearsthe bruntof ClimateChangeand speciesextinctions (as stated in the letter dated 18th July, 2020 by past and present students).

9. Dr. Sinead 20.1.21 sinead.dsilva~qmail.com Filed on Socio cultural impacts of the proposed Double

D’Silva, . Tracking Railway projects outside Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife SmrithiAmrendran Sanctuary National Park. and ShivangiTandon The report has identified that at least 132 sites will be !mpacted by doubling of the railway track.

I- z ______12

This reportis an assessmentof the socio-culturalimpactof the proposed doubletrackingprojectfrom MormugaoPortTrustto Castlerock.It presents findingson the impactof doubletrackingon health,culturaland socialmaps assetsalongthe routes.“Almosta hundredPanchayatspassedresolutions sayingno to coal, This was as good a referendumon coal”, said Abhijit Prabhudesia. The report acknowledgesthat proposedprojectwas done withoutany prior intimationor necessarypermissionfrom Panchayatheads and peoplewho alreadyface issueswith the existingsingle-trackline that carries547wagons of coalacrosssovoraltripseachday.

Themapsrevealthata railwaydoublingandincreasein trainsposesthreats to the local peoples.This includesa potentialimpactin loss of livelihoods, structures- includingheritagehomes- and possiblylivestoo. That is, with few trains currentlypassing,peopleincorporatetherailwaytrack into their everydaylives, includingit beinga path usedfor walkingreturninghome, interactingwithneighboursandso on. Doubletrackingwilleffectivelyact as a barrier.It is dangerousfor peopleandthe inconvenienceis notjustifiable.If it is so, no assessmenthas been made to proveit. Instead,althoughthe governmentinsiststhatthe doubletrackingis primarilyto boosttourismand intra-statetransportation,thesignatoriesofa Siteinspection(seeAppendix2) pointedout that these needs requireexpress/localtrains. Expresstrains runningthroughfromMadgaonto Vasco,do notstopat intermediatestations and thus are of no benefitto people,provingit is not beingdone in the public’sinterest.The areathat is underscrutinycatersmoreso towardsthe movementof goodsessentiallycoal.

10. United 19.1.21 unitedconservationmovement Objectionshavebeenraisedagainstall the three projects. 13

Conservation @qmail.com Movement We refer to the double-trackingof the railwaytrack between CastleRockto Tinaighat(File No 6- 55/2020WL)whereinthe only details Convenor,Ullaash of this projectare availablethrougha tweet by Mr. PrakashJavadekaron Kumar 6th January, 2020. The official minutes of the meeting as well as the agendaof the NationalBoardforWildlifeat not availablein publicdomain on the Pariveshwebsite.

The minutesof the previousmeeting(59thmeetingof the NationalBoard for Wildlife, dtd. l9~ October, 2020, agenda item 59.2.16) state the Staridnig Coirirrullee deferred [his double-tracking proposal till the considerationof this matterby the NationalTigerConservationAuthority.

Previous members of the State Wildlife Advisory Board of Goa and Karnatakaand a forrriermemberof the NationalBoardfor Wildlife have pointedout that the same opinionwas notsoughtby the NationalBoard forWildlifefor the double-trackingon the Goaside.

As per the NTCAsite inspectionreport,In the existingtrack,there are 16 tunnels, 7 major bridges and 107 minor bridges within 25 km stretch betweenCastlerockand Kulem.Inthe newalignment / major and 74 minor bridgesand 23 tunnels have been proposed.The landscapeis highly proneto landslidesand rock blastingand tunnelling would have a deleteriousimpacttriggeringlandslidesakinto the 2018and 2019landslidesin Kodaguand Kerala.

11. HetaPandit, 18.1.21 heta.pandit©gmall.com We are concernedwith the impactof that thesethree projectswill ChairpersonOoa have on the tourismindustry,on the culturaland socialfabric of Goa and HeritageAction we wouldlikean impactassessmenton the damagedoneto the protected area, the heritage structures on either side of the proposed double ______its architecturalheritageand assistus in planningfor a betterGoa.

‘~

(SI lAG) trackandsurroundingloresis veisus wliaLIJiecoririectMlybenefitsare for the tourismindustry,residentsand otherstake-holders. We urgeyour considerationon the abovematters.This will go a longway in safeguardingGoa’scurrenttourism industry,social and culturalfabric,

12. ChicalimYouth 18.1.21 cyfarmersclub©gmail.com Objectionshavebeenraisedagainstallthe three projects. FarmersClub

b~orestation due to these projects will further increasethe incidences of landslidesin the monsoons;man-wildlifeconflicts(eg:In the monthof January Ilils yeai,a ligressand liei 3 cubswere poisonedand killedat MhadeiWildlife Sanctuary,Goa);encourageflood-likesituationsand ixomote emergenceof zoonotic diseases perhaps similar to Covid-19 disease (eg. KFD- Kanyasur Forest Disease,•which emerged from these forests, killed 12 people at Shivmoggadistrictin Karnatakain 2019).

5. The environmentaldegradationthe 3 projectswill trigger will put us in a catch - 22 situation.These projects may have been implementedin public interest;however,we Goanswho pride ourselvesin our state’spristine,natural beautyare at oddswith such developmentalplans.The WesternGhatsforests are over 150 millionyearsold; each maturetree absorbsaround22kgof carbon dioxideper year:The youngtrees meantfor afforestationfor these projectswill absorb only around 6 kg of carbon dioxide per year It is inconceivable,the drasticchangethe fellingof thousandsof maturetreeswill bring,If development is to take place,it ought to be carriedout by adoptingthe ‘SpeciesBest Interest Standard’and an ‘Ecocentricapproach’,as directed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the case of Centrefor EnvironmentalLaw, WorldWide Fund- Indiavls Unionof India(2013),8 SCC,234.

13. Dr. EsmeL. 18.1.21 esme.Qurdie~hotmaiI.co.uk FiledReporttitled preparedby 18scientists I researchers 15

Purdie “Biodiversity Impact Assessment and Biodiversity Management Wild Otters Pvt. Plan for Transmission Lines.” Ltd.

14. Joseph Hoover 15.1.21 ioehoover6O~qmail.com ~iviemijerk S+~a~e+ abouttheAs aurgentmemberneedoftoKarnataka’ssafeguardourStateforestsWildlifeandAdvisoryprotectedBoard,areasIinwriteKarnatakato you Wildlife Advisory which are being compromisedin our state, despite the state-wideopposition Board, Goa relatedto the three destructiveprojectsproposedin Mollem NationalPark and RhagwanMahaveerWildlifeSanctuaryintheadjacentstateof Goa.

Thus the approval of NBWL on the advice of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is required under.Section 38(0) (1) (g) of the Wild Life (Protectiqn)Act, I 972 whereforest diversioncannotbe allowedfor ecologically unsustainableuse, except in public interest.The opinionof the NationalTiger ConservationAuthorityhasnot beensoughtonthe Goaside,althoughmandated by law.Thereis wide-spreadcitizenunrest.Citizensfrom acrossGoahavebeen braving a pandemic and have started a resilient and large scale citizen movementthat has reachednationaland internationalaudienceand havesent numerousrepresentationsthat these projectsgo againsttheir public interests. This makesit allthe moreimportantfor the stateof Karnatakanotto compromise on our irreplaceableforestsand createa fait accomplisituationwhich is neither in tho intorostsof ourownpeopleandourownwildlife,norin the interestof Goa.

15. H.S. Sathya 8.1.21 sathyachnadrasagar~gmaiIco Filed Report titled “Inadequacyof environmentalimpact assessmentfor Chandra Sagar m projects in BhagwanMahavirWild Life Sanctuaryand national Park of . Goafor the threeproposedprojects.” 16. Villagers Action 5.1.21 [email protected] Objectionshavebeenfiled againstthe doublingof the railwaytrackwhich Committee will land-lockthe housebetweenthe two railwaytracks once the second Velsao, p.6. track is constructed. Cansualim Besidesfacing dust pollutioncausedby coal wagonspassingthe stretch on regularbasis. 17. Goa Heritage 16.1.21 hetapandit~qñiail.com ActionGroup, As membersof the Goa HeritageAction Gioup we wouldlike to express HetaPandit, our concern about the diversion of forest land within and around the Chairperson, Bhagvan MahaveerWildlife Sanctuaryand Mollem Nationalpark, both prime locationsof hinterlandand nature-basedtourism.We are equally Panaji,Goa concernedabout the potentialdamage to the heritagepropertiesin the vicinityof the proposeddoubletrack railwayline.The existingsingletrack has alreadycaused cracks in the walls and the floors of these beautiful homes,someof whichare morethan 200 yearsold and are an illustration of Goan architectureand culture.The proposeddoubletrack will cause immenseunprecedenteddamageto thesebeautifulhomes.

As far as we know, no studies or surveys or inventories have been conducted that evaluate the cultural, social, histpric, architectural, archaeological or group value of these heritage structures and natural sites. How can we destroy sàmething without knowing what is there and assessing its yalue?

18. AnishaJayadeva 14.11.20 anisha.jayadeva©gmail.com On behalf of all CoveringLetter: the signatories “As a group of ecologists,wildlife biologistsand allied professionals,we writeto you aboutecologicalconcernspertainingto the diversionof forest land in KaliTiger Reserve,DandeliWildlifeSanctuary,andthe contiguous tiger habitats of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem NationalPark,for railwaydoubletracking,wideningof NH4Ahighwayand the layingof the LILOtransmissionline

Extractof the attachedletter:

is criticalthat anydecisionconcerningour remainingforests— particularlythosein biodiversityhotspots—heedoverwhelmingscientific evidencesupportingthe importancepf intact,contiguousforestsas carbon ___ 17

sinks,and ussiligulal role in sustainingbiodiversityand humanwell-being.

All three projects will result in further fragmentationof forests in the Western Chats, leadingto smaller, and more isolatedforest fragments, with compromisedecosystemfunctioning.The impacts of the proposed projectswill very likely play out acrossthe entire landscape,with multiple, long-term,cascadingimpactseven decadesafter the constructionof the projects.

The StandingCommitteeof the NthtionalBoardfor Wildlifehad taken[lie opinion of the NTCA for Káli Tigor Reserve in Karnatakabut no~such opinion seems to have been taken for Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife SanctuaryI NationalPark in Goa althoughthe both are contiguousforest blocksand tiger habitatswhich is definedin the Wild Life (Protection)Act, 1972andsupportsbreedingpopulationsof tigers.

Besides,no study on what would be the cumulativeimpactsof all these three projects on the ecology of this part of Western Chats has been undertakenwithoutwhichthe projectsshouldnot be implemented.

Finally,the coming decadesare crucial in our attemptsto mitigatethe climateemergency.Fragmentedforestsstore 36% lesscarboncompared to contiguousforests,with largerforestfragmentsstoringgreateramounts of carbon.It is criticalthat any decisionconcerningour remainingforests heedoverwhelmingscientificevidencesupportingthe importanceof intact, contiguousforests as carbon sinks, and its singular role in sustaining biodiversityand humanwell-being. 18

19. GoyaniKolso 22.8.20 goyantkolsonaka©gmail.com Representationby 23 members ot the Executive Committee Naka, haveopposedall the three projects: Murmogaon,Goa 6. SUPPRESSION OF RIGHTSOF THE PEOPLEDURING COVID

a. In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, it came to our notice that approximately347.967ha of pristineforestincludinglargestretcheswithin NationalPark,Wild Life SanctuaryandTiger Reserve,are proposedto he divertedfor the subjectthree projects.Over 58,994trees are proposedto be felledfor thesediversions.

b. The peopleof Goa stronglycondemnthe move of the Governmentto push this projectthroughwithout due processor consultationespecially during the time of the COVID 19 Pandemic,when though people are stronglyagainstthe projectsand its effects,they are unableto voicetheir grievancesin any normaldemocraticmanner.Gram Sabhascannot be held. People are arbitrarily arrestedif they protest and section 144 is imposed in all areas, supposedlyfor the pandemic,but really to quell freedomof speechandexpression.

c. In 2017,over 100panchayatsout of 189 panchayatsin Goa have passedresolutionsin the GramSabhasrejectingcoal and all proposalsto turn Goa into a CoalHub,whichincludethe doubletrackingof the railway line and the four laningof NH 4A. Last month,over 3,000 people have filed objectionswith the DeputyCollectorin Vasco rejectingthe proposed landacquisitionfor the doublingof the rail line.Largenumbersof students are mobilizingwithin Goa and outside to save the Bhagwan Mahavir NationalPark& Wild LifeSanctuary.Thesedemocraticexpressionsby an overwhelmingmajorityof people,especiallyyoungstudentsand children, showthat theseprojectsare completelyagainstPublicInterestand Public Opinion, and enough grounds to reject these proiects that stand to. 19

irrevocabledairiage to the BhagwanMahavirNationalPark & Wild Life Sanctuaryandthe WesternGhatsBiosphere.

d. Priorto givingapprovalfor a project,publicconsultationwith all concernedpeoplemustbe carriedout.Yet no GramSabha approvalshavebeensought.Infactwith regardto the plansthee concernedvillageshavenot evenbeengivenaccessto the plans. This is a gross violationand goes against all Constitutionalrights of the peopleof Goa especiallywith regardto the 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendment. In fact, the entire process has been carried out in great secrecyand denialof information.

20. Rhea D’Souza 3.8.20 [email protected] Representationby 130Architects,studentsof Goa:

Ecosystem rvicesare one of the criticaldimensionsof sustainabilityand are fundamental tosustain a balance between economic growth, environmentalprotection,andsocialequity.

Thereis a closelink betweenforestecosystemslike MollemNationalPark andthe BhagwanMahaveerSanctuaryand thesurroundingbuilthabitation and villages. The forests are incrediblyimportantwhen it comes to the provisionof criticalecosystemservices.For example,vegetationmitigates the heat islandeffectby evapo-transpiration,purifiesthe air by absorbing pollutantsandreducesnoise pollution by acting as a buffer. Landcover affects the ability of natural ecosystemstoprovide ecosystemservices. Landcoverandclimaticsettingstogether,also playa crucialrole in supplyingfreshwaterto urban communities.Land-useinfluencesthe quality and quantity ofgroundwater by affecting the rate of evapotranspiration.Land-use also affects the rate of erosion, nutrient loading, and biogeochemicalcycling, which can irñpact water quality. _ __ 20

Importantly,Iandcovordirectlyimpactsbiodiveisily.

It is important to understand that land-use planning and associated processes can causeirreversibledamage to the natural environment, which may stop the supplyof essentialecosystemservices.Additionally,it is notalwayspossibleto restorethe naturalenvironmentback to its originalstate.

21. Gabri&la Dtrus 2 1.9.20 Representation on behalf of ‘154 Scientists /AlIied Conservation M.Sc. Biodiversity practitioners. Conservation and Management As scientistsand alliedconservationpractitioners,we are writing. to this Committeeabout the need to study the impacts of ~.~1or~-1nira projectsthat have been passedin and aroundMollemcumulativeNationalPark and Gandhi Graduate BhagwanMahavirWildlife Sanctuary,the Eco-SensitiveZones and the Scholars extremelybiodiverseforestsin Goaand Karnataka.

Apart from the cumulative impacts of transmissionline, no cumulative impactassessmenthas beenconductedto assessthe diversionof forest land for implementationof the Road-Railwayline and Transmissionline involvingfellingof 59,000trees.Further,sevenforestclearanceproposals have been submitted for execution of three projects in and around BhagwanMahaveerWildlife Sanctuaryand Mollem National Park. The NationalHighway4A is a highwaywith a total lengthof 153km.The entire stretchof 153km is plannedto be expandedacrosstwo states.A highway project where expansion work is undertaken for more than 100km involving additional right of way greater than 40 m falls under the EnvironmentImpactAssessment(FIA) Notification,2006 for which prior EnvironmentClearance is requiredfrom the MoEFCC. But the NH-4A road expansion project has been split into two sections (83 km in Karnatakaand 70.07km in Goa).Infact the KarnatakaHigh Court in W.P 21

3350/2019vide orderda1ed~24thFebruary,2020In a PILfiled agaInstthe NH-4Aexpansionwork in the Stateof Karnatakanotedthat the “lengthof NH-4A which is takenup for wideningmay be more than 100Kilometers stretchingover Kamatakaand Goa. If that be so, it cannotbe said that wideningis undertakenfor the length whichis less than 100Kilometers.” Thus, a fresh EIA study for the entire stretch should be conducted.The generalconditionsunderthe EIA Notification,2006 also mandatesproject appraisalat the Central Level when any project is locatedwithin 5 km boundaryof protectedarea, notified Eco SensitiveAreas and locatedin inter-stateboundaries.All seven proposals are considered in isolation, there Is no mention of the cumulative impacts for the exeoution ot the three projects in one protected area.

22. SatsangaRetreat 4.8.20 .info©satsangaretreat 23. Girish Punjabi 1.8.20 qirish~wctindia.org Fileda detailedPeer-reviewreporttitled INADEQUACY OF ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENTSFOR PROJECTSIN BHAGWAN MAHAVIR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY AND NATIONAL PARK: A PEER REVIEW” GirishPunjabi,MSc,has beenfiled. Its conclusionsare givenbelow:

‘‘ 7. CONCLUSION

Any major infrastructureprojectsshould be avoided within PAs, unless there are exceptionalcircumstancesthat will benefit wildlife (as per the WLPA, 1972).Due importanceshould be given to all environmentaland ecological impacts on the ecosystem in such areas when such is unavoidable.In the presentcase,there is not one, but three largeprojects whichare plannedin this ecologicallysensitiveregion.It is noteworthythat 22 the Western Ghats is a designated Natural World Heritage Site. The cumulativeimpactsof thesethree projectsmaychangethe entireecology of the SW WLS & NP, and cause irreparable damage to its fragile environment.Further, such major destructionwill impact the quality of humanlife within and nearthe PA. Such multipledestructiveprojectsalso call for an in-depth investigation into cumulative impacts on the PA. Cumulative impact studies have been considered mandatoryin many countries (Braid et al. 1985), and are implementedrigorouslyfor their added value in understandingirreversiblechanges to existing natural systems(Xueet al. 2004).

ft is pertinentto notethat two of theseptojects(NH-4Aand Transmission line)were awardedWildlifeclearancesin the 57thmeetingof the Standing Committee of the•National Board for Wildlife, held on 7th April 2020 througha video conferencewithoutcriticalevaluation.Our reviewdethils how the EIAs for these projectsare considerablyweak, but this fact was evidentlyoverlookedby the higheststatutoryauthorityto protectwildlifein the country.The authorsare not againstsociallyand environmentally-just development,but noneof these projectsprovideany benefitto wildlifeor the environmentin the SMWLS & NP. Environmentalcostsand mitigation measuresare not comprehensivelyassessedin the ElAs. Informationon the land area for compensation,overseeing agencies for mitigation measures,monitoringand penaltiesfor non:complianceare also not laid out in detail.

FaultyEIAscontinueto be condonedby successiveappraisalboardsand governments,which ultimately dilutes the spirit of the exercise. Such practicesconsiderenvironmentallegislationas a burdenon development, ratherthan a processthat guides sustainabledevelopment.This further weakens environmental governance in a country which is ranked a humble 168 (out of 180 countries) in the EnvironmentalPerformance Index (Wendlinget aI. 2020). By embracinga rationalscreeningprocess at the outsetwhich fortifies existinglegislation(Rajaramand Das 2011), 23

as well as incentivisingpost-clearancemonitoringand evaluation,whichis particularlyweak (Duflo et al. 2013), considerableopportunitiesexist to improvethe EIA processand assessmentin India(Paliwal2006)

24. SaldhanaNishant 1.8.20 [email protected] Representation from 249 Artists from mostly from Goa etc. Artists of Goa .edu 25. Meghna Arnin 21 .7.20 meclhnarohit~dWahoo.culn Jhatka.orgin partnershipwith [lie ui[izeiiso[ Gao have startedan online Jhatka.org signaturecampaignon www.airalert.intitled Save MollemNationalPark, Goa” addressedto the CEC.As of 19t~~April2021,the said campaignhas

~ recordedabout41,384onlinesignatures.The campaignis ag&nst all the threeproposedprojectspassingthroughMOllemSanctuaryfnationalPark.

26. Digambar V. 31.7.20 digambarkamatlop~gmail.com The three destructive projects highly contradict the 25-Year Master Kamat Tourism Plan of the State. These projectsnot only affect the trees and in here but have MLA ‘ Leader. . of thousandseffects on ourof animalslivelihoods.that Thelive lossrefugeof forest covertheywill alsofurther increasedirect Opposition, Goa frequencyof irregularrainfall,floodinganddroughtsevents(as seenin the State Assembly monsoonof 2019 that led to crop loss) affectingthe quality of life of all citizens With rivers originating in Mollem, these projects threaten

, Goa’swatersupply.Further,COVID-19,a zoonoticdisease,highlightsthe importanceof keepingour forests intact,any form of degradationof these forests will have an insurmountableimpact on public health and can increasethetransmissionof diseases. NaomiDias 31.7.20 angelo.ddr~gmaiI.com Representation on behalfof 257 Citizensand students. 27. Rosarlo (Annexedletter)

The environmentaldegradationthe 3 projectswill triggerwill put us in a catch - 22 situation.These projectsmay have been implementedin

. publicinterest;however,we Goanswho pride ourselvesin our state’s 74

prisline, natural beauty are at odds with such developmentalplans. TheWesternGhatsforestsare over 150millionyearsold;eachmature tree absorbs around 22kg of carbon dioxideper year [https:/fwww.eea.europa.eu/a~jcles/forestshealthandclimate chanqelkey-facts/trees-help-tackle.cljmatec~ange]The young trees meantfor afforestationfor these projectswill absorbonly around6 kg of carbondioxide per year. It is inconceivable,the drasticchangethe fellingof thousandsof maturetrees will bring.If developmentis to take place,it oughtto be carriedout by adoptingthe ‘SpeciesBest Interest Standard’ and an ‘Ecocentricapproach’as directed by the Hon’ble SupremeCourt of India in the case of Centrefor EnvironmentalLaw, WorldWide Fund-Indiav/s Unionof India(2013),8 5CC,234.

28. VillagersAction 31.7.20 vcadsWrt(ä~qmail.com Committeeagainst Objectionshavebeenraisedagainstallthe three projects. doublingof South WesternRailway Tracks, Velsao, We not only view this aspect of protecting Goa from the lens of intergenerationalequity, but asa principladuty that is coreto the Constitution Cansaulim,Goa of India.Youthandpeoplefrom all acrossGoahavebeenaskingthe government to take cognizanceof the illegalitiesat Mollem in the Assemblysession(27t~~ of July, 2020). While these three projects are being passedunder th~ “public

interest” banner,we write to you to urgeyou to pay heed to our voices— we want to makeyour EsteemedCommitteeawarethat these decisionsare neither in interestof wildlife andneitherfor the peopleof Goa. Asentailedin the Public Trust Doctrine,natural resourcesare owned by Ilie slate dS a trusteeon behalf of the peopleand especiallyfuture generations.Asthe presentgeneration,we are custodiansof this inheritance to bestow upon future generations.As signatorieswe wish to state that our forests, homes and lands are being ______against these projects that affect our very health and land? This25

snatchedawayfrom usunjustly dl the cosi of Inter-generatIonalequity.A lossis a deep lossto all of us. We wish to state that these projectshave been non- participatoryandhavebeenenforcedon uscitizensin atop-down manner.

Theresidentsof Goawho are affectedbytheseprojects,would alsoliketo know what exactlyarethe livelihoodbenefitsand what exactlyarethe prosand cons of the three linear intrusionsand we implore the governmentto put forth the resultsof this studyto the people.

AsGoans,we respectand acknowledgethe importanceof the Mollem National Park and BhagwanMahavir Wildlife Sanctuaryto the legacyof Goa and its invaluablecontributibn and importanceto the environmentand the world. We standin solidaritywith the forests andwildlife, and in oppositionto the 3 linear intrusions that have been granted permission by the Central and State Governmentswithout the knowledgeor consentof the local stakeholdersand whichcanonlybedeemedasanimpositionon us.

29. GoenchoEkvoff 31.7.20 qoenchoekvott(a~qmail.com Representationfiled on behalfof 10 members” Peoples Movement “Timeandagain, Goa is being used for vested interests when the fact is that Goa is too small a State to contain such large-scale destructive projects that will swallow our precious land resources. Goa is smaller than the size of the Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra and 52 times smaller than the State of Karnataka and it appears that the Centre and its allies in the State have no respect for GOa and its people. Presently the South Western Railway in order to transport coal approximately 472 wagons are ovorloadod with coal per day. By virtue of doubling the tracks the number of rakes will probably double causing more dust and misery. Shouldn’t we as citizens have a right to voice our dissent ______Art connectsus to our past and helps us imaginea future that adheresto our 0 26

destruction cannot be disguised as arid termed as development and is against the voices of our people. We wish to further state that our forests, heritage homes, and lands are being snatched away from us unjustly at the cost of inter-generational equity. A loss is a deep loss to all of us. We wish to state that these projects have been non- participatory and have been enforced on us citizens in a top-down manner.

The doubling of the South Western Railway track from Hospet to Vasco Da-Garna, will not only severely impact these forests, but also affect our land resources, farms lands, marine life and heritage houses, some of them over 500 years old, but the fugitive coal-dust (with a particulate size of lesser than 2.5 microns) will irreversibLy pollute the natural resources of air, land and water making it practically impossible to sustain a healthy life and livelihood. To this effect, over 189 Panchayat bodies including Gram Sabhas had over the years passed resolutions against the ill effects of fugitive coal-dust pollution and the nuisance of noise pollution, severe vibrations caused by the passing of these rakes through their locality 24x7 resulting in damage to their heritage homes.”

30. Anika Gupta 31.7.20 anikaqupta87~qmail.com Filedrepresentationon behalfof 114artists:

Natureand The Fabric of Our Society InGoa,we live in great proximityto nature.Manyof our citiesand villagesexist along rivers and we live surroundedby farmland,khazanland, paddyfields or forests.The backdropofthe WesternGhatswhichholdsthe forestof Mollemcan beseenbythe riverMandovithat definesourcapitalcityof Panjim.

The Future Of Our Culture and the Role Of Artists in Matters Of Public Concern 27

valuesaridethics.Our artworkfor AmchoMollom(translatedfromKonkanito meanMyMollem)reflectsthedeepsenseof losswewillfeelaboutourfutureif we don’theedits messageto protectour naturalheritageandresourcestoday. We don’t wish to live in a future that is fragile, where the biodiversity ofGoaalreadyhangsin precariousbalancein the face of destructionand unplanneddevelopment.Thefutureof our homestateis bleakif we don’tpay closeattentionto protectionoftheenvironment,itsforestsandrivers.

Our rolefor AmcheMollemhas beento voicethe opinionsandvaluesof our societythathavecomeunderthreat. Whodoesaforestbelongto?

31. Dr.Anjali Noronha 31.7.20 vetaniali~gmail.com Representationsignedby 101veterinariansandAlliedAnimal Welfareorganisation. “As professionalstrained in science, we wish to highlight our major concernwhich are by no meansexhaustive.The three proposedprojects will cut through different areas of the National Park and sanctuary. Encroachingin to these limitedarea will fragmentfragile wildlifecorridor leading to an increase in human — wildlife conflict (mediatedthrough multiple pathways)and is also likely to potentiate interactionbetween vectors and viruses coming into contactwith humans.A human~wildlife conflict study on five reserves in Western Ghats found that 64% of households reported crop loss and 15% households livestock loss followingdeforestation. ______28

32. AlisliotiCarvallic 30.7.20 alisoii.carvallio~qiriaiI.coin Cii behalF ci cilizeits arid students of Goa. And others

33. Neeve Miranda 30.7.20 neeve.m08~qmail.com Objections have been raised against all the three projects. On behalf of 60 signatories. 34. AnliaCarvaihoSald 30.7.20 aniIiacarvalho77~pmail.com Objections have been raised against all the three projects. hana, MLA

Cortalim “ I haveserious concerns regarding the clearances granted for cone°ItI U~ ~ Goa projectsNationalpassingPark, clearodthroughduringBhagwanthemahavirbeth& 57UiwildlifemeetingSancturayof theandStandingMollem committeeof the NationalBoardfor Wildlife.Two of these Projectswere

. passed during the lockdownwhen site —specificinspectionas well as

~ publicconsultationwas not possible.Public-spiriteddecisionsare crucial

. while considering these projects as there are very many people who are

. completely opposed to these projects with reason but their voices have not been represented when deliberating on these projects. In fact the clearing of trees at the transmission tine substation at Xeldem did not

allow for site —specificscrutiny and work was underway in the middle of the lockdown. With no fairness to process, as citizens could not corroborate the number of trees that have been felled and the forest area that was cleared.

. If the infrastructure is being created for coal transportation it is at complete

~ odds with the generalvisionplanof the state

35. Shashi Braganza 29.7.20 shasangeIa~pmail.com Citizens protest against all the three projects: and226 sinnatories “We as citizensvalueour land and take pride in our forests.We urgeyou ~ to choose the irreplaceable wealth of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuaryand MoilemNationalPark’s 29

biodiveisity ovet the three developmentprojects.This natural wealth is bestoweduponus Goansand we are merelycustodiansof this land until we pass it on to future generations.To do this we need you to hear our voices, support our intentionsand make the right decisionstoensure a sustainablefuturefor ourselvesand Goa.

36. Pooja RaniBhatia 28.7.20 pooja.rb©gmail.com Objectionshavebeenraisedagainstall thethree projects. and DivyaShashtrabud dhe We, members of the tourism industry iii Goa, wi~li to put lortli our And 159 concernsaboutthe three plannedprojectsfor BhagwanMahaveerWildlife signatories Sanctuary and Mollem National Park. Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuaryand Mollem NationalPark are an integralpart of the future of Goa. With these projects creating deforestation in the area, future development of hinterland tourism will be adversely affected, which directlyopposesthe state’s25-yearvision (approvedin 2019)to revamp the economy.The currentcommunity-basedtourisminitiativeswill also be destroyed,damagingthe local economy and muting any opportunityto makeGoaa globalleaderin sustainabletourism.

Rich biodiversity, natural beauty and cultural heritage of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park key to development of sustainable ecotourism

This protectedarea is Goa’soldestand largestwildlifesanctuary,is home to incredible biodiversity, indigenous communities,and a rich cultural heritage.It boastsof hundredsof endemicspecies— animals,plantsand fungi. Beinga tiger habitat,in additionto a homefor other apex predators and creatures on the lnternation& Union for Conservationof Nature (IUCN) threatened list, makes this environmentideal for tourism and conservationprogramsto go handin hand.In additionto diversefauna,the flora flourishes with fresh water•sources all around. Three important r tributariesof the riverMhadei,whichfeed intothe Mandovi,Goa’slifeline, originatehere, providingample resourcesfor exploration,adventureand guidedexperiences.Thereare also manylocalwaterfallslikeTambdiSurla Falls, Devil’s Canyon and of course, Dudhsagar Falls, a main tourist destinationin Goa.

37. AamAdmi Party 23.7.20 aapqoa~qmail.com Raisedobjectionsagainstall the three projects.

Convener, Avis . (3omes Recordsshow [hat less than 5% of India’sforests compriseof protected

area, asignificantpercentageof which lie in Goa. BhagwanMahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mollem National Park. is Goa’s largest protected area and connected closely to other protectedareas in the states of Maharashtraand Karnataka.Hencethese 3 projectscannotbe looked at in isolation as they have synergistic effects on livelihoods, ecologyand watershedactivities.There are numerousconcerns,besides what is soughtto be broughtout here,that make it amplyclearthat there has beencompletego by to due processof lawand publicinterestrelating to the protectionof environmentand livelihoodsof the people.

38. Malisasimoes 22.7.20 maIisasimoes~gmaiI.com Representation filed by 19 lawyers I legal practitioners,

“ Further,the cumulativeimpacts of these projects have not been consideredwhile grantingapprovals(which insteadhave been dividedinto multipleseparateproposals),therebygrosslyunderestimating the detrimentalimpact of the abovenamedprojects. Membersfrom the StateWildlife Boardhave also askedfor a study on cumulativeimpacts. Such cumulativeimpactsare especiallyimportantgiventhat this protected area is located in the middle of a large network of contiguouswildlife habitats that extend into Karnataka and Maharashtra(all part of the ______andwatershedactivities. 3’

WesternGhats).

It is time for the societyat large to endeavorto save the greencoverwe have left, and the same can only be done so by example - an example practicedand promotedby the Government.As has beenaptly remarked by an eminentEnvironmentalist- “Nothing can ever fix nature, not even all monies in the world, and money rules are never worthy following.”

39. Alexio Lourenco 21.7.20 officerreqinaldoc~gamil.com Objectto allthethreeprojects MLA, Curtorim, Goa Thesaidthreeprojectsarein Goa’slargestprotectedareaandcannotbe lookedin isolationastheyhavesynergeticeffectson livelihoods,ecology

40. Travel & Tourism 20.7.20 admn~ttag.in Expressconcernaboutthe diversionof forest land withinand around Association of BhagwanMahaveerSanctuaryand MollemNationalPark,both prime Goa locationsof hinterlandandnaturebasedtourism. Nature based tourism trends in India shows a 14.9% growth rate representingthe numberof visitors per year to India’s protectedareas, bulkofwhicharedomestictourists.

Thecumulativeimpactof all thethreeprojects needsto be considered ratherthen lookingthemin isolation.Sincethe projectswereexamined andclearedonvirtualbasiswithoutvisitingthesite,thedueprocesswas compromised.

41. Maliaka Mathew 18.7.20 chawIamalaika(~gmail.com Objections have been raised against all the three projects. Chawla ______ecology. ______32

42. FranciscoA. J. 17.7.20 dqouveia5~qrnail.corn Objectionto the railwayproject, Goaveia reqouveia~qrnaiI.com The doubletrackingof the railwayline will turn Goa in to a coal hub,only

Maria Diana dionnegouveia~gmaiI-. corn forcoalthebybenefitrakes causeof privateair corporationspollution as coalin Karnataka.dust fliesThehundredstransportationof metersof Gouveia from the railwaytracks carryingtoxic elementsalongwith it like arsenic, Reuben mercury,leadvanadium,chromiumetc. Emmanuel Gouveia DionneFrancisco Gouveia ______43. RithikaFernandes 16.7.20 faqouveia~qmail.com Objectionshavebeenfiled by 16scientists,researchersand professionalsin the field of sustainabledevelopmentand

44. Smt.Alma 13.7.20 anilasaldhana2012~Qrnail.co Objectionshavebeenraisedagainstall the threeprojects. Saldhana ni

MLACortalirn I would like to place my concernson recordnot only as a serving Constituency,Goa MLAof Cortalimconstituencybut as Ex ForestMinisterof Goa

Further,the railwayline expansionwill affectthousandsof peoplenotonly withinthese forest areas but outsideand the surveyand land acquisition efforts have gone ahead paying no attention and giving citizens no rationaleas to why this projectis even plannedand whetherit is towards creatinginfrastructurefor coaltransportation.

If the infrastructureprojectsis being created for coal transportationit is completeay oddsWiththe generalvisionsplan of the state _ __ 33

45. Mithila Prabhu 10.7.20 mithilaprabhudesai Objectionshavebeenraisedagainstall the threeprojectsby426 Desai along with students. 426 students

As students,we wishto statethat our pot of naturalwealthand heritagein Goa includesBhagwanMahavirWildlife Sanctuaryand MollemNational Park.We are worriedthat such rampantforest clearanceswill disturbthe fragile ecosystembalancewith consequencesincludingthe increasein our chancesof beingexposedto noveletiologicagentsof manydiseases Iliat are preseiil. Several pandemicssuch as SARS, Ebola, Nipah and now COVID-19are global scale concernsthat are tied to modificationof human habitats. A new study, by the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences at Stanford University has suggested that deforestationcould lead to a ~ise in the occurrence of diseases like COVID-19. This makes it even more important for environmental governanceto be giventhe seriousnessit requiresand due processto be followed,given that among other factors, it is directly relevantto human health. These changesto our naturallife supportsystemsare alreadyimpacting our healthand are projectedto drive the majorityof the globalburdenof disease affecting the most vulnerable people in the future. While connections have been made between forest fragmentation and an increase in Lyme disease elsewhere in the world, we have our own examples from not only other parts of India, but concerns that are extremelyrelevantto ourvery ownstatein Goa. Monkeyfever or Kysanur Forest Disease(KFD) has been attributedto edgescausedbecauseof deforestation.Accordingto the IndianCouncilof MedicalResearch(ICMR),“clearingof forest area for cultivationcauses changes in tick fauna and is consideredas an importantrisk factor for outbreaks.” While monkey fever was first reported in the state of Karnatakain the Kyasanurforest,from which it got the name,it spreadto the neighboring states of Goa and Maharashtra. In the taluka of 4 ___ _ 34 Sattariatleast35 individualshave been affectedby KFDdisease.Specilic treatment for the same isn’t available, leaving some of the most marginalizedforestdwellersat risk. 4wwt(4~6.lIs) In SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY

~-wI%IWWI ~‘IgiQ1g Office of General Manager 3rd Floor, East Wing, South Western Railway, k~T~fT, c,4t

Member Secretary Central Empowered Committee Chanakya Pun New Delhi —21 Email : cecindia202~gmail.com

Sub: Application No.1440 of 2020 complaint filed by Goa Foundation through

its Secretary Dr. Claude Alvares — Doubling of Railway line from Castle Rock to Vasco. Ref: Member Secretary, CEC letter No.F.No.105/CECISC/2020-Pt.XVI dated 07.01 .2021.

With reference to the above, para wise remarks to application No.1440 of 2020 complaint filed by Goa Foundation through Secretary Dr.Claade Alvares are furnished below: 1) The quantum and nature of goods traffic from and to Karnataka via Mormugao Port through the existing railway line between Goa and Karnataka.

(All fi;ures are in no. of rakes) FROM KARNATAKA YEAR TO GOA FaOMKARNATAKAGOA TO NATUREGOODSOF Load + Empty 2013-14 485+1634 2119 2014-15 575+1828 2403 2015-16 319+2780 3099 2016-17 626 +2641 3267 COAL, LIME 2017-18 519 + 2316 2835 STONE, STEEL, 2018-19 427 + 1989 2416 BAUXITE, GRANITE, 2019-20 407+2092 2499 IRONORE. 2020-21 (Upto 429+ 1390 1819 Dec)

Mormugao Port is served by South Western Railway. Above furnished data is pertaining to South Western Railway on Vasco-da-gama to Lon da route. 1 The statistics of quantum of coal being transported from MP by SWR over the years indicate 25% reduction in span of just 4 years. Year Qty of Coal transported by SWR from Marmugao Port (in MT) 2015-16 12.25 2016-17 12.6 2017-18 10.54 2018-19 7.4 2019-20 9 Usage of coal is being discouraged and only, non conventional energy resources which are clean fuels will be preferred over. Also due to thrust on Aatmanirbhar Bharat, importec coal is expected to diminish. Its understood that present ceiling imposed by Goa State Pollution Control Board is much higher than what’s being transported by Railways.

2) The quantum of goods traffic to and from Andhra Pradesh ITelengana via Mormugao Port through the existing line between Goa and Karnataka (All fiqures are in no. of rakes From SWR TO YEAR APlTelangana From API Telangana VIA Mormugao Port (MPT) (VIA Mormugao Port) 2013-14 0

2014-15 , 0 0 2015-16 0 2016-17 4119 0 2017-18 0 2018-19 135 0 2019-20 0 0

2020-21 (Up to Dec) 15 , 0

3) The quantum of goods traffic to and from Tamilnadu via Mormugao Port through the existing line between Goa and Karnataka. (All fgures are in no. of rakes

YEAR MormugaoFrom SWRPort)(Viato Atm Tam ilnadu

201 3-14 Tamilnadu (Via Mormugao Port) 2014-15 1410. 0 2015-16 0 2016-17 0 0 2017-18 2 0 2018-19 6 0

2019-20 . 40 0 2020-21 (Up to Dec) 0 0

2 • i1~

4) Average number of goods trains passing through this railway line from Murmagoa Port via Castle Rock. Average number of Goods trains YEAR passing daily through this Railway line from_Mormugao_Port Via_Castle_Rock. 2013-14 6.0 2014-15 6.6 2015-16 8.5 2016-17 9.1 2017-18 7.8 2018-19 6.6 2019-20 6.9 2020-21 67 (Up to Dec)

5) Average number of bogies in each rake of the goods trains during a given year.

STOCK Standard(No.compositionof wagons)of Rake BOXN 59+1 BOXNHL 58+1 BCN 42+1 BCNHL 58+1 BOST 45+1 BTPG 32+2 BTPN 50+2 CONTAINER 45+1

6) Number of passenger trains moving daily to and from Tinaighat to Mormugao Nasco

DAY UP DOWN TOTAL SUN 3 3 6 MON 3 3 6 TUE 4 2 6 WED 2 3 5 THU 4 4 8 FRI 4 3 7 SAT 2 4 6 Presently Vasco-da-gama to Londa is having Single Railway line that has serious constraints in train operations. In this working trains need to wa t for crossings and number of trains that can be run is very limited. Problem is even more severe between Castle Rock and Kulem ghat section popularly known as Braganza Ghat.

Trains can be run with a gap of 15 to 20 minutes in plain sections whereas between Castle Rock and Kulem in length of 25 Km1 to comply instrudons only one train can be there keeping minimum 75 mm. of gap between two trains. The trains in this ghat section are provided with Automatic Emergency Brake that limits speed of trains down the ghat to 30 Kmph only. More over at all the intermediate stations, trains shall stop and start taking extra time in the process. 3 ‘U

The number of passenger trains that are presently unning is limited by these constraints. It is expected that approximately 45 Trains can be run, if this stretch of Railway track is doubled. Once the track is doubled, additional sectior capacity generated can be used to additional trains. More number of Passenger trains connecting different parts of South Goa to Vasco-da-gama can be commenced and also connecting Goa to karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu can be commenced fulfilling the long-standing demands.

7) What is the maximum speed at which the train can move along the existing rail line on either direction. (Figures in Km~h)

SECTION PASSENGER GOODS Hubballi-Londa 100 75 Londa-Castle Rock 100 65 Castle Rock-Kulem (Down) 40 30 Kulem-Castle Rock (Up) 40 40 Kulem -Sank~ial 75 60 Sarkval-Vasco 65 65

8) The quantity of goods traffic by rail to and from Karnataka through Krishnapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh and New Mangalore Port in Karnataka. (All figures are in no. of rakes)

Trafficfrom New Traffic to Traffic to New Mangalore Traffic from Krishna- Mangalore Port to Port from Karnataka Krishna- YEAR patnam Port lx patnamfromPort From From From Karnataka MAO! Total MAOIMJ Total Karnataka KNKD MJO 0 2013-14 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 2014-15 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 2015-16 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 2016-17 1435 199 122 9 125 30 2 32 2017-18 1526 207 130 8 135 37 3 40 2018-19 3560 211 389 89 144 150 13 163 2b19-20 1657 136 134 13 74 7 0 7 2020-21 665 209 119 14 176 0 0 0 (Up to Dec.)

Mormugao Port is served bySouth Western Railway . Above furnished data is pertaining to South Western Railway on Vasco-da-gama to Londa route.

4 ~13

9) Movement of goods traffic between South Western Railway and Konkan Railway.

From SWR TO From KONKAN YEAR KONKAN RAILWAY RAILWAY to SWR Total Average ( Through MAO ( Through MAO per day interchange point) interchange point) 2O~3-14 3703 3307 7010 19 20~4-15 3615 3360 6975 19 2O~5-16 4192 4065 8257 23 20~6-17 3487 3527 7014 19 20A7~18 2840 2879 5719 16 20A8~19 3091 2859 5950 16 2019-20 2713 2711 5424 1~ 2020-21 (up 1788 1816 3604 IÔ to Dec)

Mormugao Port is sewed by South Western Railway . Above furnished data is pertaining to South Western Railway on Vasco-da-gama to Londa route.

j1~u1til) ‘E. Vijaya) WI ~ Dy. General Manager (G)

5 “4

Z~raraT fli:flcia SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY

J-l~wsiW~I5Wf ct,IL4IC1LJ Office of General Manager 3rd Floor, East Wing, South Western Railway, *~*~T1, ~ 311, Rail Soudha, Room No.311 Tf~T]~~ ,~os~eD 580020. Hubballi -580020.

No.G.1 57/Misc/CEC Dated: j7th Feb. 2021 Member Secretary Central Empowered Committee Chanakya Pun New Delhi —21 Email : cecindia202(~mmaiI.com Sub: Application No.1440 of 2020 complaint filed by 3oa Foundation through

its Secretary Dr. Claude Alvares — Doubling of Railway line from Castle Rock to Vasco. Ref: Member Secretary, CEC letter No.F.No.105/CEC/SC/2020-Pt.XVI dated 07.01.2021 & 05.02.2021. In continuation to this office letter dated 01.02.2021, the information sought vide CEC letter dated 05.02.2021 is furnished below: 1) Quantity and Year wise Breakup of Goods Traffic from and to Karnataka via Murmugao Port through the existing Railway line between Goa and Karnataka. (In Rakes) FROM KARNATAKA TO GOA FROM GOA TO KARNATAKA BREAKUP RAKE NATURE OF YEAR RAKE . BREAKUPOF OF GOODS (Load + GOODS (Loads) GOODS (Load + Empty) (Loads) Empty) STEEL- 377 2013-14 485 + 1634 STONE-_108 2119+0 COAL-2119.

STEEL - 499 DOAL-2352 2014-15 575+ 1828 STONE-SI 2403 + 0 LIMEIPONSTONE-30ORE-21.

2015-16 319+2780 STEEL- 233 3099 + 0 LIMEDOAL-2976STONE-Il 5 STONE -86 IRON_ORE-08.

STEEL - 540 COAL -3105 3267 + 0 LIME STONE-159 COAL, LIME 2016-17 626 +2641 STONE -86 GYPSUM -03. STONE, STEEL

STEEL - 475 COAL - 2623 2017-18 519+2316 STONE-44 2835 ÷ 0 LIME STONE-210 BAUXITE, 3YPSUM - 02. GRANITE, RON

COAL - 1861 ORE, GYPSUM.

. LIME STONE- 238 STEEL- 388 2018-19 427+ 1989 STONE -39 2416 + 0 DOLOMITEGYPSUM -02-01

IRON_ORE - 314.

STEEL - 364 COAL - 2226 2019-20 407 +2092 2499 + 0 STONE -43 LIME STON - 273.

2020-21 STEEL - 354 DOAL- 1635 429+1390 STONE-27 1619+0 (Up to Dec.) IRON ORE-48 LIME STONE - 184. ‘Is

8. Quantity and Year wise Breakup of Goods Traffic by Rail to and from Karnataka through Krishnapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh. (In Rakes) TRAFFIC FROM TRAFFIC TO KRISHNAPATNAM PORT YEAR KRISHNAPATNAM PORT TO FROM KARNATAKA KARNATAKA RAKE BREAK UP OF RAKE BREAK UP OF GOODS (Load + Empty) GOODS (Loads) (LOAD + EMPTY) (Loads) 2013-14 NA NA 2014-15 NA NA 2015-16 NA NA COAL - 921 CONTAINER-84 CONTAINER- 135 DOLOMITE-16 199 + 0 STEEL -32 2016-17 1417 + 18 FERTILISER- 37 GRANITE - 32.

IRON ORE - 122 LIME_STONE-237 COAL-971 CONTAINER -96 CONTAINER - 122 DOLOMITE -18 207 + 0 STEEL -28 201 7-18 1595 + 21 FERTILISER -34 GRANITE - 57.

. IRONORE-123 LIME STONE-263.

COAL - 1951 CONTAINER -115 . CONTAINER-61 STEEL-39 2018-19 3552 + 08 FERTILISER-49 211 + 0 GRANITE-53 IRON ORE -1325 GRANULATED SLAG-04. LIME_STONE-i 66.

~ COAL-1127 CONTAINER- 57 CONTAINER -98 2019-20 1651 + 06 DOLOMITE -35 136 + 0 GRANITE -38 FERTILISER -56 LIME_STONE-376. CONTAINER -61 COAL-491 STEEL-77 CONTAINER 43 GRANITE -38 2020-21 648 + 17 DOLOMITE -06 209 + 0 GRANULATED SLAG -01 (Up to D~) FERTILISER -49 MAIZE -30 LIME STONE-59. SUGAR -2.

South Western Railway (SWR) is not sending empty goods trains specifically to Krishnapatnam port, empty goods trains are handed over to South Central Railway (5CR) at Guntakal, 5CR will plan the movement of empty goods trains according to their demand and requirements. Digitally signed E. VlJaya~’.bate:2021.02.17 / 17:05:15 +0530’ (~1~1~I) (E. Vijaya) WI .I%1QU~I~T1. Dy. General Manager (G) SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY ~1~ Dffic~ofGeneraI Manager 3rd Floor, East Wing, Z1sL4a~~ $e4~ii, South Western Railway, ~c1’ti~%f1 ,-~‘LI*~. 311, Rail Soudha, Room No.311 ~Ic~4I’~l.s w~1cD-58O020. Hubballi -580020. No.G.157/Misc/CEC Dated: 7th Apr. 2021 Member Secretary Central Empowered Committee ChanakyaPuri New Delhi—21 Email :cecindia2021ä~ømail.com

Sub :Application No.1440 of 2020 complaint filed by Goa Foundation through its Secretary Dr. Claude Alvares — Doubling of Railway line from Castle Rock to Vasco. Ref: Member Secretary, C~C letter No.F.No.105/CEC/SC.’2020-Pt.XVI dtd 05.04.21

In continuation to this office letter dated 17.02.2021 and tie information sought vide CEC letter dated 05.04.2021 the details of projected goods trafficis summarized as under:

. From Goa Port side to Karnataka side From Karnataka side to Goa Port side Type of traffic Type of traffic 1 Coal I Iron’ and Steel 2 Fertilizer 2 Iron ore for domestic use 3 Limestone 3 Granite for Export 4 Bauxite 4 Container (Export)

5 Gypsum . 5 Pig-Iron. 6 Container (Imports) 6 Cement 7 LPG/POL loads The traffic dealt in the last 08 years from Karnatáka to Goa Port in the section is as below:

______(In Rakes)

Year Finished_SteelPiglron& Iron Ore Cement ‘ Granite Total

2013-14 377 -- 16 108 ‘ 501

2014-15 499 -- 50.5 81 630.5

?015-16 233 — 102 86 421

2016-17 540 -- 161 85 787

2017-18 475 ~- 156 44 675

2018-19 • 388 -- 150 39 577

2019-20 364 • -- 127 43 534 2020-21 467~ 76 122 43 708 ~11

Traffic projected for the next ten years from Karnataka side to Goa Port side (In Rakes) • Pig-Iron & Iron IncludingOther Container~ Year Finished Ore Cement Granite and through traffic Tot& AveragePer Day Steel and enpties 2021-22 600 200 160 90 2803 3850 10.55 2022-23 650 210 200 100 300’) 4160 11.40 2023-24 .700 250 210 110 3100 4370 11.97 2024-25 750 280 ‘220 120 3153 4520 12.38 2025-26 800 300 230 130 32C3 4660 12.77 2026-27 850 330 240 140 3250 4810 13.18 2027-28 900 350 250 150 3300 4950 13.56 2028-29 950. 360 260 160 3400 5130 14.05 2029-30 1000 370 280 180 3500 5330 14.6C 2030-31 1100 400 300 I 200 I 3600 5600 15.34 Traffic from Goa Port side to Karnataka side: (In Rakes) Limestone/Dolomite! Year Coal Gyjsum POL Fertilizer Tofal . /Bauxite/lron Ore

2013~14 2119 -- -- 163 2282

2014-15 2352 51 --• 184 2587

2015-16 2976 123 — 186 3285 2016-17 3105 162 48 164.5 3479.5 2017-18 2623 212 52. 20C.6 3087.5

2018-19 1861 . 559 187 199 2806 2019-20 2226 273 93 2778 2020-21 2220 267 I 106 I 158 2751 Traffic projected for the next ten years from Goa Port side to Karnata~a side: (In Rakes) lmtugh Traffic Year Coal ~ Limestone/Dolomite/Gypsum POL Fertilizer including . Total Average . /Bauxite/lron Ore Container per Day 2021-22 2400 360 200 180 500 3640 9.97 2022-23 2350 410 230 200 600 3790 1C.38 2023-24 2300 460 260 220 700 3940 10.79 2024-25 2250 520 290 240 810 4110 11.26 2025-26 2200 590 320 280 920 4310 11.81 2026-27 2150 660 360 330 1030 4530 12.41

2027-28 2100 730 . 400 380 1150 4760 13.C4 2028-29 2050 810 430 420 1270 4980 13.54 2029-30 2000 900 460 460 1380 5200 14.25

2030-31 2000 . 1000 500 500 1500 5500 15.00

In addition to the above the detailed justification for doubling of railway line from Castle rock to Vasco is enclosed as Annexure for kind information please.

(3r~ft~ gle~) ~lQL1 IM (Ashsh Pandey) q-i~2jW/~T. Dy. General Manager (d) ~i8

Annexure

Advantages of pràposed doubling of Castle Rock to Vasco- da-gama

1. 24x7 connectivity: We~tern Chats, ~ith its steep slope and thick soil cover, makes it most landslide- prone region. Castle Rock-Kulem section in SWR being single line, the state remains frequently cut-off during monsoons. Landslides in the section have resulted in cancellation and diversion of trains in the past. Approach of railway relief team is difficult and restoration efforts are humongous. Furthermore, various maintenance activities like ~ulIing back of creep, rail replacemèhts, points and cros~ing attention, open joint attention, curve attention etc requires frequent caution orders and traffic blocks. Since road appro?ch is not there, movement of materials like sleeper and rails for replacement activities, scrap disposal• etc have to be done during block on special trains. These are essential maintenance activities for better ride comfort and safe train operations. Due to proposed doubling, when one track of double line is out of servidé for track maintenance or track obstruction due to landslides or a train breakdown: train services can be diverted on the other Usable track. Thus asset availability and~ connectivity is ensured during planned maintenance works or exigencies.

2. Easing traffic congestion: In addition to being single line, the ghat section between Castle-Rock and Kulem. has

severe operational restrictions imposed owing to safety cons~derations. - A separate passenger corridor with severe restrictions is enforced before allowing Up/Down passenger trains in the ghat section. From Kuler” station, an Up passen~er cafrying train is not perh’iitted to follow an Up Goods train till the Goods train reaches • Castle-Rock station completely. Because of this reason, the actual capacity of running trains is even lesser than normal charted capacity of a single ñne. While average running time in plain section is 8 to 10 minutes, it takes 70-80 minutes to pass the critic?l ghat section reducing sectional capacity to 15% of sections in plains. There is backlog of huge unmet demands arising out of these constraints. Doubling projects, when completed, -give immediate- relief on a congested route as it increases the capacity of a route. However, the’ benefits of the entire Hosapeté-Tinaighat doubling won’t start flowing if this point of congestior is not eliminated. Under doubling, the necessary works for relaxing bottle necks will be done.

3. Energy Efficient and Environment frIendly Intra-state Access and Mobility: ‘Railway projects or any infra projects impact the socio-ecciomiC conditiohs for entire populations. If rate of return is taken as the only benchmark, then only business centres will be having rail conpectivity, and~ the hinterland wfll ~e deprived of safe and environmentally advantageous connectivity. Hitherto, Intra state movement in Goa is solely through by Road. By developing Railway network, taking up doubling of track, cheaper and faster alternative of transport will be available far public that eases- movement within the-state of Goa. By providing enhanced connectivity to towns such as Kulem, Kalem, Sanvordem-Curchorem from VascO ‘and Madgoan, local economy at these places will prosper. The mode of commuting by train s a key lifeline for the local ‘2’ residents. It is perceived that the project would enhance their opportunies for commuting and, hence, to better employment, and access to amenities aid services. Train travel makes it easy to stay green, using less energy per passenger kilométerthan other transport modes, and therefore offering cheaper anc more en.vironn~ent friendly mede of transport. As Railway Electrification works for the sestion are also sanctioned, it shall furthei~ improve the efficiency and sustainability of train services.

4. Running of more passenger trains:. At present, only S i.e ~pairs of. Express and Paséenge~ trains are running every dày, in this stretch. There is huge demand for introducing of new passenger trains from representatives of public connecting Gos with• Karnatsca, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana etc. In addition, there are demands from all oth~- zonal railways to start at least a pair of trains to/from Goa for imj,roved connectivity with th~ zones. However, being saturated section, railway is unable to introduce any coaching trains. Thus, for increasing section capacity, so as to introduce addibonal passenger train services and thereby fulfilling long pending aspirations of public in true spirit, doubling is a pre requisite.

5. Boosting trade and Commerce: This is a critical railway link connecting thtate of Goa to Southern states in general and Karnataka in particular. Strengthening the infrastructure by dcubling will boost trade and commerce between ‘these adjoining States. Essential commodities being supplied to Goa from hinterland of Karhataka can be switched over to energy efficient and all- weather rail transport.. In order tà keep up the supply chair of essential/non-essential commodities, parcel special trains from Vascoto various destinatiois across thetountry had been organized. This is an initiative of Indian Railways to dater the specific requirement of movement of goods. The industrial houses companies, interest groups, NGQs and individuals can avail this facility. With the doubling, it would be feasible to increase such services.

6.. Increasing tourist footfall: .. . In 2019, approximately.80 Lakh tourists visited the state of Goa of which around 40 % ,i.e., 32 lakh have travelled by train. After completion of dc~bling, number of tourists using train services is expected to increase manifold, due to improved connectivity and additional number of passenger trains. It is anticipated that dohiestic tourism willwitness unprecedented: surge post COVID and to facilitate more aid more tOurists visit Goa makng Goa the “Most preferred ToUrist Destination”, Railway infrastructure shall be’

equpped to handle more number of trains. . Marty intermediate stations in this route such as Sanvordern-Curchorem have huge untapped tourist potential. By extending better Rail connecivity to these stations, the hidden potential can be unlocked giving scope to generaUng more places of tourist interest there by augmenting revenue to the state of Goa.

7. Improving facilities at Stations: Railways is not able to introduce 24 coach length Mail/Express trairs in this section ,as exisdng platform lengths are suitable for handling trains ~iith 18-20 coaches only. ~Extension of platform will be possible only with yard remodellir-g under doubling. ~r.H,M~j~m’~y;of::sations in the state of Goa (Dabolim, Sarkval, Cansaulim, Majorda, Chadorgoa, Sanvordem, Kalem, Kulem) were not provided with suitable passenger amenities such as Platform shelters, Foot over bridges, ~Iatform toilets, Ramp for Disabled passengers etc.during construction. All these woncs can be taken up under doubling along with extension of platforms.

8. Conátruction of Road Over Bridges for uninterrupted road traffic: As the existing Railway track was laid more than 100 years ago, many towns have developed on both sides of Railway track, especially between Kulem and Madgoan Railway stations. Residents of these areas are facing lot of irconvenience in crossing of Railway track and have to travel many kilometres for level crossingt Keeping this aspect in view, it has been planned to construct 3 new sub-ways at Kamral, Curchorem Sanvordém, Gandhinagar/Chander Goa and 5 new Road Over Bridges- 3 near Kulem, I at Kalem and I at Saho-Jose-Da-Areal along with doubling. Also two narrow Arch Bridges will be widened.

9. Strategic Importance: , As Naval, command at Goa is strategically located in Arabian ‘Sea, to meet the need of moving troops and materials at short notice in case of emergencies, good Railway network is of importance from Defence point of view. Marmagoa Poij is a niiajor port of country and to initiate po?t led development in the surrounding region as planned under Sagar Malá” programme, better connectivity to the port assumes significance.

Ia. Conservation of Greenery: Laying of track for double line is proposed to be done; right next to the existing Railway ‘track only ensuring no impact on flora and fauna will be thereon this account .No land in new area is being acquired. Also, the work will be done within’ the railway land, minkifising the need for land acquisition. Railway is one of tie ‘pioneers in conservation of eivironment and takin~ up of initiatives towards greener p~anet. More over upcoming electrification will make Railways Carbon neutral. In the last 5 years Railway has planted 33,000 saplings in the jurisdiction of Goa and will cortinue to work with same commitment .With’ minimum/negligible impact on environment, reliable and futuristic transport network for state of Goa will be developed.

II. Getting on the Developnient bus: Projects aimed at improving infrastructure are being executed throughout the country acrcss all’states. Works for laying of New railway lines are Deing done in ecologically sensitive regions of North East etc. by exercising due care The Vision 2024 for Railways

envisages having minimum double lined and electrified Rail ietwork in all routes . State of Goa shall not miss the development bus and rather shall lead in implantation of sanctioned projects in the interest of State and Nation as a wiole The vision of Vibrant Goa with flourjshing economy can be realised only by having Rail network’that will take care of transport requirements of tomorrow efficiently. A~w~ug6e U

Government of India Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change National Tiger Conservation Authority Regional Office (Southern zoneD Bengaluru-560 076

Doresanipalya Forest Campus, Bannergarra Road, Arekere Mico layout, ffl~4B (P0), Bengaluru-560 076. Telephone’Fax: 080-26596211/26597211 E-mail: aigsouth-ntcaønicin

F. No.17-49 /2020-NTCA(ROSZ)/ Dated 2l~ July, 2020

To, The ADGF & Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority, 7th Floor, B-i, wing, P1. DeendayalAulhodaya Bliawan, CGO —Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi- 110 003.

Sub: Submission of site appraisal report pertaining to diversion of 10.45 ha (9.57 ha in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and 0.88 ha in Haliyal Division) of forest land for non-forestry purpose for doubling the railway track between Tinaighat

Castlerock-Carauzol by South Western Railway, Hubballi, Karnataka — reg.

Ref: NTCA letter RNo.7-12/2020-NTCA Dated 3”’ July, 2020.

Sir,

Please find enclosed herewith the site appraisal report p2rta mng to diversion of 10.45 ha (9.57 ha in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and 0.88 ha in Haliyal Division) of forest land for non-forestry purpose for doubling the railway track between Tinaighat- Castlerock-Caranzc’l by South Western Railway, Hubballi, Karnataka, for your kind :nformation and perusal.

End: As above. Yours faithfuiiy,

(Rajendra G Garawad) Assistant Inspector General of Forests SITE APPRAISAL REPORT PERTAINING TO DIVERSION OF 10.45 HA (9.57 HA IN DANDELI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY AND 0.88 NA TN HALIYAL DIVISION) OF FOREST LAND FOR NON-FORESTRY PURPOSE FOR DOUBLING THE RAILWA~ TRACK BETWEEN TINAIGHAT- CASTLEROCK-CARANZOL BY SOUTh WESTERN RAILWAY, HUBBALLI, KARNATAKA.

- - - - - — ~0.. ______-_—.—t-—— - — - a —- -‘ 1.~-~

—

JULY 2020

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY REGIONAL OFFICE (SOUTHERN ZONE) BENGALURU

Page 1 DIVERSION OF 10.45 HA (9.57 HA IN DANDELI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY AND L88 HA IN HALIYAL DIVISION) OF FOREST LAND FOR NON-FORESTRY PURPOSE FOR DOUBLING THE RAILWAY TRACK BETWEEN TINAIGHAT- CASTLEROCK CARANZOL BY SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY, HUBBALLI, KARNATAKA.

BACKGROUND:

The Rail Vikas Nigam Limiled (RVNL) is executing the Hosput Hubballi Londa Vasco da gama (352.58 km) railway track doubling project which was sanctioned by the Ministry of Railways in 2010-11. The project is divided into two phases with Phase -i covering 252 km between H~pet and Tinaighat and Phase II covers linaighat- Vasco stretch. According to news reports, for Phase I, the total project cost of Rs 2,127 crore was funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Phase II of rail doubling project with an estimated cost of Rs 900 crore involves diversion of 9.57 ha forest land in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (in Karnataka) and 113.857 ha in Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park (in Goa). RVNL has submitted two separate proposals with project name ‘Tinaighat-Castlerock-Caranzol Railway Doubling’ for Kamataka stretch and ‘Castlerock-Kulem Railway Doubling’ for Goa stretch. As the proposed diversion area is within the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary which acts as corridor for movement of tigers, the project proposal was referred by the Wildlife Division of MoEF&CC to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for its comments under the provisions of section 38(0) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Accordingly, the NTCA constituted a committee comprising of representatives of User Agency, Chief Wildlife Warden, Karnataka and NTCA, Regional office, Bengaluru to cause site appraisal of the aforementioned project. The terms and reference was to cause site appraisal to evaluate the area vis-a-vis tiger dispersal, distribution, connectivity etc and to suggest mitigation measures, if any.

FIELD VISIT:

As per the instructions received, a field visit comprising the following officials was made to the proposed project site on 10°’ July, 2020 and held discussions with officials of Forest Department and South Western Railways. A copy of the NTCA letter regarding site appraisal is enclosed as Annexure I. Photographs of site visit and project area are given in Annexure II. Table 1. Details of committee members and officials present during the field visit. Team Members Designation Maria Christu Raja D Field Director, Kali Tiger Reserve and representative of CWLW, Karnataka. B Chandra Sekhar General Manager / Civil RVNL I Bengaluru and representative_of Railways Rajendra G Garawad AIGF, NTCA, Regional office, Bengalum

Page 2 ~S4

PROJECT AREA:

Western Chats are known all over the world for their importance in biodiversity conservation and for possessing unique geological, cultural and aesthetic values. Geologically the Western Ghat mountain chain is older than the Himalaya and play a very important role in moderating the Indian monsoon. Owing to the high degree of biological diversily and endemism, the Weslern Ghats has been recognized as one of the worlds eight ‘hottest hotspots’ of biological diversity

Kill Tige’ Reseive (otiginally DandeliAnslu Tiger Reserve) ealends over an area of 1395.02 Sq. Km. It is located in the Central Western Ghats and is part of a contiguous forested area extending over 10,000 Sq. Km across the two states Karnataka and Goa. The liger Reserve comprises of two important protected areas of the region namely Dandeli Widlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (886.41 Sq. Km) and Anshi National Park (417.34 Sq. Km) are contiguous to each other and is a single tract of proteced area. These two protected areas were administratively unified as Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve 1JATR), in the year 2007 vide G.O. No. FEE 254 FWL 2006, Bangalore dated: 04-01-2007. The Tiger Reserve is composed of tropical wet evergreen, tropical semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forest types. It is home to Tigers, Leopards, Wild dogs, Elephant, Indian Gaur, Indian Pangolin, Great Indian Hornb:ll, Castlerock Night Frog and many other charismatic species cf endangered and endemic Flora and Fauna. The present extent of Kali Tiger Reserve is 1101.51 sq km. The Castlerock Wildlife Range located north of Kali Tiger Reserve and part of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary extends over an area of 248 sq km and is bounded by protected areas on three sides: North - Bhimgad Wildlife

Sanctuary, West - Bhagawan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Molem National Park, South - Kali

Tiger Reserve and East - with wildlife rich regions of Supa backwaters and forests of Tinaigltat Range of Haliyal Division. The forest area of Castlerock range holds a sizeable populatior of Tigers. It is an important tiger corridor in Central Western Chats connecting the tiger habitats in Karnataka, Goa and Southern Maharashtra. From Camera Trap records, it is found that Tigers from Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Kali Tiger Reserve and Sahyadri Tiger Reserve use this corridor regularly for dispersal. The Phase IV monitoring records from Kali Tiger Reserve show active utilization of this corridor by tigers. The minimum number of tigers recorded during the tiger monitoring exercise conducted in May 2020 in areas adjoining the Tinaighat-Castlerock-Caranzol line is 8 ( 4 Female, 3 Male and 1 Unlcnowt).

Page 3 (A view of the project area in Dandeli Wi dlife Sanctuary)

PROJECT RELATED OBSERVATIONS:

1. The Castlerock in Karnataka and Kulem in Goa are part of the 25 km (approx) long shgle line broad gauge track between Hubballi and Vasco-da-Gama section of South Western Railway (SWR). There is an elevation difference of 511 meter between Castlerock at 580 meter above Mean Sea Level (MSL) and Kulem at 69 meter above MSL. By virtue of the ruling gradient of 1 in 37, this railway track is considered to be one of the steepest railway tracks of India. Between Castlerock and Kulem, there are three crossing stations namely, Garanzol, Dudhsagar and Sonalim. In the existing track, tiere are 16 tunnels, 7 major bridges and 107 minor bridges within 25 km stretch beween Castlerock and Kulem. 2. Although two separate projects have been submitted b) the RVNL for Karnataka and Goa part for various clearance purpose in reality it is a single project situated in and witnin the same ecological unit of Western Ghat forest complex (Figure 1). 3. The consultants engaged by RVNL had carried out feasibility studies of different alignments between Castlerock and Kulem but finally it was decided to have the alignment of second track adjacent to the existing single line with the same gradient of 1 in 37. The proposed alignment falls to the left side (while facing Kulem from Castlerock) of existing railway track and runs parallel with a minimum center to center distance of 6 meter and it detours at the locations of major bridges and tunnels so that new bridges and tunnels can be constructed safely. Wherever there deep cLtting is involved such stretches have been converted Onto tunnels.

Page 4 ‘B’

4. The maximum curvature of the proposed line is 7.6 degree and there will be 49 curves. Nearly 17.95 km of the alignment is in the curvature which 65% of the total length (27.72 km). In the new alignment 7 major and 74 minor bridges and 23 tunnels have been proposed and provision has already been for electrifying tiie route. 4yard with four line station with high leve platform has been proposed at Sonalim statk6n. 5. The final alignment report acknowledges Iliat topography (with high bills and deep gorges) is a malor problem for construction of as many as 81 bridges and 20 tunnels, lie report also mentions that for undertaking construction activities of this scale requires creation of area for dumping of material, paricing of equ~pment, camping etc 6. The final alignment report highlights the fact that the proposed project area is inaccessible with only road available at Castlerock and Kulem and the three intermediate stations (Caranzol, Dudhsagar and Sonalim) do not have any approach road except by trains. Owing to this, the transportation of men, material and ecuipment to project is even bigger challenge than the topography. 7. The report also highlights that this rail doubling project between Castlerock and Kuiem poses very specific and unique constraints in terms of the following: 8. Approach road: Castlerock and Kulem are the only two places where the approach road to the project site exists.

• Long rainy season: In the project area, the rainy se~on lasts from July to November and only 7 months of working season from December to June is available for the project. Therefore, the estimated 48 months of project period as given in the project documents, will b’e spread over a period of about 7 years. • Disposal of excavated earth from cutting and tunnel construction: The existing track has steep hills on the left side and deep gorges/ valley to the right side (while facing Kulem from Castlerock). With the proposed track being aligned to the left of existing (1 track, there will be an earth work to the tune of 17.59 lakh cubic meter from excavation and tunneling and filling is 9.49 lakh cubic meter. Out of this, estimated quantity of earth produced will be around 4.8 lakh cubic meter is proposed to be used ( for filling purpose and the remaining (approximately 13 lakh cubic meter) will be transported out of Castlerock — Kulem section. Need for special measures: Due to topographical and access related problems, special measures are required to be taken during construction. Though tunnels are of shorter lengths yet construction cannot be accomplished easily. Special techniques and improvisation of methods is required for construction of bridges over deep gorges which poses challenges. Even the minor bridge construction would involve transportation of precast boxes to the site of bridge construction.

Page 5 ‘Si

TIGER DISTRIBUTION, DISPERSAL AND CONNECTIVITY RELATED OBSERVATIONS:

9. To understand the tiger distribution, dispersal and connectivity, the tiger occupancy grids of last 4 cycles of All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) exercise from 2006 to 2018 and the tiger corridor atlas created by Wildlife Institute of India (WIT), were used in GIS domain. In addition to tiger occupancy grids, layers like Protected Area, places, proposed diversion area were also imported in GIS domain for visualization and analysis. The details pertaining to data used and process details involved in preparation of tiger occupancy grids and corridor atlas are given in the technical reportc çuoted in references section. 10. Visualization of tiger occupancy grids in GIS suggest spatial variation in tiger occupaflcy in the proposed project area (from Castlerock to Kulem) with tiger occupancy being recorded in 2006, 2014 and 2018 monitoring cycles (Figure2-4). At the Western Gliat landscape level also a similar temporal and spatial variation has been observed highlighting the dynamic nature of tiger occupancy.

11. In 2006, while tiger occupancy was noticed iii almost e:ilire Dandei Wildlife SancLmry whereas in the adjoining grid that falls in Mollem National Park, no tiger presence was recorded. However, in the same 2006 estimation, tiger occupancy was noticed in the northern and southern grids of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Molem National Park respectively. 12. As per the results of 2010 AITE, the project area from Castlerock to Kulem had not recorded tiger presence! occupancy whereas the adjoining grids of Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary I Mollem National Park and forests of Ponda and Sanguem tehsils had shown tiger presence (Figure 3). Moreover, the overall tiger occupancy recorded in 2010 in the state of Goa was low with mere 322 sq km of tiger occupancy. 13. The proposed project is located within one of the three important tiger landscapes ‘Anshi Dcrndeli-Sllaldvdthi vdlley populdtion’ coinpiising of pwtecled dieds of Molleni Netravali-Anshi-Dandeli, Sharavathi Valley-Mookambika along with Reserved Forests of Haliyal and Yellapur. As identified by Jhala et a! 2008, this complex has connections in the north with the forests of Goa and up to Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtr& There is also connectivity of this complex to the southern side with the Kudremukh-Bhadra complex though the plantations and agricultural mosaics. There exists camera trap based evidence about the movement of tigers between these complexes. 14. The recently concluded phase IV tiger monitoring exercise of Kali Tiger Reserve has confirmed the movement of tigers between Anshi-Dandeli and Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. As per the preliminary results of monitoring exercise, a total of 25 unique tigers (male 40, female-12 and unidentified-3) have been photocaptured in Kali Tiger Reserve duth~g 2020 phase IV monitoring. A noteworthy finding of conservaticn significance is photocapturing of a tiger in Castlerock range which was earlier camera trapped in Sahyadri Tiger

Page 6 £9

Reserve. This highlights the role of forests of Karnataka and adjoining Goa as corridor for facilitating movement of tigers between Anshi-Dandeli complex and Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. 15. The NTCA-WIl report ‘Connecting Tiger Populations for Long-Term Conservation’ published in 201~ lughliglited that among the tiger landscapes of India, ills [lie western Glia[s ldlldscdpe witiel. lids the beltei cunueclivily witidu [lie ~diIdscdpe uwitig lb conducive habitat matrix for tiger occupancy than the tiger landscapes of Central Indian and Shivalik-Gangetic Plains. The said report also warns that factors like plantations, agriculture expansion, industrial and infrastructure development activities have been threatening the existing habitat connectivity (Figure?) 16. Apex predators like tigers usually exist at low densities and require extensive forest areas for survival. Factors like habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation, isolation and poaching of prey base can push small populations of tigers towards local extinction. This would require managing smaller populations in meta-population framework while ensuring habitat connectivity between different populations so that there exists ample opportunity for individuals of a population for dispersal, establishing territory and reproduction. 17. In the context of Western Ghats landscape spread across ICarnataka and Goa, this would entail offering maximum protection to existing Protected Areas such as Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, Mhadei WLS, Bhimgad WLS, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary for facilitating movement of dispersing tigers. Further, the bottlenecks, if any, present within the landscapes have to be restored through mitigation and retrofitting. 18. The 2014 AITE report mentions that tiger populations in Western Ghats landscape has shown an increase in tiger population with occupancy remaining stable. Owing to the prevalent connectivity within the landscape, tigers have spread over most part of the landscape. The high tiger occupancy probability recorded in Western Ghats pointed towards favourable conditions for expansion of tiger extent as well as dispersal movements between source populations. However, the report reiterates the threat factors of infrastructure development, industrialization and plantations highlighted in the previous estimation report of 2010 and advocates for ecologically sensitive developmentai planning.

FEASIBILITY OF MITIGATION MEASURES

19. A direct impact of the railways on wildlife which is obvious is death of wild animak due to collision with trains. Research studies highlight that wildlife mortality caused by trains can have large impacts on mammalian populations which are endangered, species having larger home ranges and that occur in fairly low density levels and those with low

Page ~29

reproductive rate. Wherever the rail line bisect the habitats or migration routes of endangered mammals, the wildlife mortality is found to be the highest. The victims of train collisions are diverse with different body sizes from small forest birds, amphibians, reptiles, carnivores, ungulates to mega herbivores like elephants. Unlike the wide publicity and attention received by wildlife mortality due to roadkill, there have been fewer studies on wildlife mortality due to train coffisions (Sara eta! 2017). 20. The existing single railway line between Hubballi Vasco (which includes the propos2d track doubling area also) has been responsible for death of several large mammals and carnivores not just in the Protected Areas bin also in thc territorial forest areas in thc recent years. Plotting cf wildlife death incidents due to :rairi collisions (for which gc-o coordinates were available) shows that wild animals roudnely get killed by trains both inside the protected areas like Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and also in the wildlife rich adjoining Reserved Forests of Haliyal forest division (Figure 6). 21. With the proposed doubling of existing railway track and subsequent electrification of the line, the wildlife mortality and habitat fragmentation may increase by many folds. Eased on a single site appraisal visit, it is not possible to predict the quantum and extent of impact that the railway line doubling may have on wildlife due to habitat fragmentation, disturbance during construction phase and subsequent nortality due to train hits. 22. Moreover, the tough terrain of the project with steep mcuntain on one side and a deep valley on the other side of the existing railway track makes the task of selecting conventional mitigation structures/measures challenging. A detailed study which takes into account the ecology of apex predators and large mammals, their dispersal movements, and prevailing terrain conditions is required for exploring the feasibility of mitigation measures. 23. The State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) of Karnataka had recommended the project w±th the condition that the User Agency prepare a suitable mitigation plan to reduce the impact on wildlife and on conditions imposed in part-IV of the proposal. Howevei~ it is not clear if the User Agency has prepared any mitigation plan so far as no document was produced during the field visit. 24. During the field visit, the Railway authorities produced a document “Biodiversity and Environmental Assessment ofproposed doubling of railway track between Kulem and Castlerock in Goa-Karnataka’ as biodiversity and impact assessment report. A perusal of the said report reveals that the report lacks in critical assessment particularly of proiec: impacts and merely reiterates project proponents views. 25. Out of 230 page report, mere six pages have been devoted for so called ‘recommendadons and mitigation measures’ and many of the suggestions which are fairly generic in nature have been prescribed without taking into account the ground realities. No independent critical analysis is found in the report. Certain suggestions like joint patrolling of forest

Page 8 190

and railway staff in critical areas for monitoring wildlife presence and seeking information about animal movement from local people (in an area where there are hardly any human settlements near railway tracks) etc are impractical and theoretical in nature. 26. Given the breaking up of about 170 plus hectare of eco class 1 Western Ghat forest :~d (which includes forest land and land available with Ratway) having very high biodiversily value and considering the heavy ecological cost imposed by the project. 1: would be appropriate to have an independent and detailed assessment of the ciunulative impact of the project for the entire stretch from Tinaighat to IKulem. dl Within ES-b km aeriaL distance from (:astLerock and KnL~m~ the Public Works Department (PWD) of Governmen. of Goa has decided for development of existing Goa / Karnataka

border — Panaji Goa section of NH-4A from km 84/003 to 153/075 on Build Operate Transfer (Toll) basis under I~fflDP-HI ~Anmod to Pang: section). This road project also involves diversion of forest area from the wildlife sanctuary in Goa. On one hand the railway authorities claim that due to industrial growth and growth in tourists, the existing railway single line capacity is saturated and there is need for doubling of railway line. On the other hand, the PWD of Goa claims that by converting existing NH4A road into tour lane toll road, there will be development of area through establishment of various small, medium and large scale industries due to better transport facilities of goods and materials! Development projects such as four laning of an existing road and doubling of railway llne within an aerial distance of 5-6 km from each other in one of the most ecologically sensitive and biodiversity rich part of Western Ghats will definitely have far reaching implications for the wildlife due to habitat destruction, disturbance, habitat fragmenta:ion, road kills and train collisions (figure 6). 28. The Western Ghats has lost about 33,000 sq. km. (or 3S-40%) of its forest cover in the last 100 years. In the last SO years, nearly 3,300 sq. km. of evergreen forest cover has been lost in Uttar Kannada district where the Tinaighat-Castlerock-Caranzol line is located. A significant proportion of this forest loss has resulted from linear intrusions -power transmission lines, highways, and from construction of dams. In other words about 1C% of all forest loss in Western Ghats over the last century occurred in Uttar Kannada (isjict. The impact of the railway doubling project have to consider the historical forest loss in the region, and not be evaluated in isolation.

?age 9 .- •5_•e_~ Road and Railway Network in Western Ghats :~‘ ‘ “‘-S $ahyadriTR ~c.•/‘ N ••‘•~c. ~ S1

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Figure 1. Map depicting tiger reserves, tiger corridors, existing railway and road network in Western Ghats.

Page 10 jqZ.

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~r. Tiger Occupancy - 2006 V ~1• 4 t -2;: ~1 :. \i ¼~~

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Figure 2. Tiger occupancy in 2006. Tiger presence detected in ~art of the project area inside Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka and Bhagwan Mahaveer National Park, Goa.

Page 11 Tiger Occupancy -2010 I...

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Figure 3. Tiger occupancy in 2010. No tiger presence recorded in both Dandeli WES and Bhagwan Mahaveer National Park (Goa).

Page 12 l’1

L.J. I. ii.. Tiger Occupancy - 2014 C :3:1’

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Proposed doubling 4. I — NH4-A Road Existing RLy Line Kali Tiger Reserve C Castlerock Range o MOLEM_WLS MADEIWLS S ~‘• Tiger Presence_2014 _••t )• ~i I.’— Land cover .— ..A • ~.. Forest ______•t; Non Forest k.: r i Water 1’. 4

Figure 4. Tiger occupancy in 2014. Most of the grids covering Dandeli WLS and Bhagwan Mahaveer National Park, Mollem WLS and Madei WLS of Goa show tiger presence.

Page 13 I

F -S a Tiger Occupancy - 2018

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Figure 5. Tiger occupancy in 2018. Recently concluded AITE exercise indicates tiger presence in the project area.

Page 14 S : -ï S& WildliFeMortalityDueto TrainColLisions

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East- 9cc • Places * WitdliieDeaths Proposedlined.uhling -S. — NH4-A ExistingRlyNetw.rk a. a, —MADEI_WLS O MQLEMWLS CastlerockRange Landcover Water (~ud’~sagc~ ‘I. ~L NonForest Sonal% Li S.-t Forest

Figure6. Incicentsof wildlife deathdueto traincollisionson Hubballi — Vascorailwayline.

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FEW ANCILLARY OBSERVATIONS:

29. During the field visit, the accompanying railway officials informed that South Western Railway (SWR) has approximately 15 meter of land on the either side of the existinE single line broad gauge track from Castlerock to Kulem is under their possession and the proposed forest diversion area of 9.57 ha of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary lies beyond :heir area. The vegetation cover of the land t.rnder the control of SWR (beyond the rallwa~. hack & embankment) is veiy much simnildr to the forest and of ilie sanctuary in terms of species composition and biodiversity values. According to railway officials: the land irnd~r their control wilt also he used for track doubling Similarly, tor ( :astlerock -Kulem section 113.857 ha is proposed for diversion and this area also appears beyond the area under Railway Authorities. Therefore, there may be an understatement of forest area to be diverted for railway line doubling between Tinaighat-Castlerock-Kulem.

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- . . ‘. . Googk3Evth F -. tL~I~•fl D.c. ~ I .~ I..:..:19 .39 L fl Figure 7. Google Earth image superimposed with proposed forest diversion area (ye~Iow color polygon). Please note the gap between the railway track and diversion area. 30. Along the existing single line alignment, there have been instances of landslides in tie past (please see plate 18). As the proposed new line construction involves significan: amount of cutting and filling in the steep terrain, landslides may become frequent a_ along the project area. 31. The project proponents (RVNL) have commissioned an Environmental Impact Smdy (EIA) with the title “Biodiversity and Environmental Assessment of proposed doubling of railway track between Kulem and Castlerock in Goa-Karnataka’ from Indian Institute of Science (uSc), Bengaluru and the report was prepared by Prof. R.Sukumar and Prof.T.G. Sitharam of uSc. Since Prof. R. Sukumar is also a member of Standing Committee o’ National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), which gives clearances to developmental project, the issue of conflict of interest may arise. Therefore, it will be appropriate to have the

Page 16 reassessment of environment impacts of the entire project by independent authority, institution like Wildlife Institute of India. 32. A quick perusal of various project documents uploaded in parivesh.nic.in website reveals that by the User Agency cite the only justification for having railway doubling project is ‘due to industrial growth and growth of tourists, the existing single railway line capacity is saturated. But there are no material facts and figures available to justify the claim of growth of industry and tourism and saturation of existing single lane. 33. The final report on alignment (Vol.1) proposes construction of 243 residential accommodation apart from the existing ones. It is not clear where these residential accommodations will come up either along the proposed new line or elsewhere. Such large accommodation facilities inside the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park in Goa may not be desirable as it will create further disturbances in these PA s. 34. The report “Final Alignment Report (vol-I) on Development of New Alignment includthg Refinements, Geological & Geophysical Mapping, Fined Location Survey, SiLe Investigations, for New Line between existing Chainages 26.450 Km to existing Chaincige 49.500 Km From Castle Rock to Kulem” prepared by AECOM mentions that ‘The link between Vasco-da-Gama and Hubbaui is only rail link connecting Goa to rest of the county’. This statement is highly misleading because the Konkan railway line already connects Goa with Maharashtra and Karnataka! Therefore, a thorough scrutiny of a] documents related to project is required.

Page 17 ~q9

CONCLUDING REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. The railway doubling project from Tinaighat — Castlerock — Caranzol and Castlerock — Kulem be considered in toto as a single project and the cumulative biodiversity and environmental impacts of the project be assessed critically factoring in the economic viability and short and long term benefits to the region. 2. A. deLailed study on the Feasibility of niitigation measures in this difficult terrain ttia’i be conducted by involving Wildlife Institute of India, Deliradun. The study may cover the entire 2S km stretch of the project area from (2ast[erork in Karnataka side to Ku[en in Goa. 3. Considering the routine deaths of wild animals particularly large herbivores like Indian Gaur, Indian elephant due to train coffisions in the territorial areas of Haliyal and Belgaum forest divisions the study by Wildlife Institute of India need to address the impact on wildlife in this connected landscape and prescribe suitable mitigation measures over the entire stretch of the line through this wildlife rich forests of the Western C-hats. 4. Given the potential of this project to damage the integrity of the last remaining wilderness of Western Ghats, it may not be taken in isolation from the widening of NH-4A that is being executed within 5-6 Km north of this project site with the same professed goal of quick, increased capacity for movement of men and material and development. The NH 4A widening project is in advanced stages of completion in certain stretches and about to start in certain stretches. It would be in the interest of sustainable development that a cumulative cost benefit analysis of these two projects may be commissioned. Such studies will facilitate economic development of the region while considering the ecological, environmental and economic concerns.

Submtted by

(Rajendra G Garawad) Assis:ant Inspector General of Forests NTCA, Regional office, Bengaluru

Page 13 REFERENCES:

1. Project documents availthle at http://parivesh.nicin/

2. Asian Development Bank (2008). Railway Investment Programme- Hospet to Tenaighat Track Doubling. TA-36330-02 Available at: https://www.adb.orgfsitesfdefau]tlfiiesfnroject-document164224136330-02-ind-tacr-03.ndf

3. Final alignment report (Vol-i) on Development of New Alignment including Refinements, Geological & Geophysical Mapping, Final Location Survey, Site Investigations, for New Line between existing Chainages 26 450 Km to existing Chainage 4C 500 Km Prom Castle Rock to Kulem.

4. Asian Development Bank (2011). Initial Environmental Examination. India: Railway Sector Investment Program. Hospet-linaighat Doubling Subproject. Available at: htrps://www.adb.orgfsites/default/files/Iinked-documents/36330—01 3-ind-ieeab-03.pdf

5. Jhala, Y.V., Gopal, R. and Qureshi, Q (edsj2008. Status of tigers, co-predators and prey in India by National Tiger Conservation authority and Wildlife Institute of India. TRO8/001, Print Vision, Dehradun, Pp. 164.

6. Y.V.Jhala, Q.Qureshi, R.Gopal, and P.R.Sinha (Eds.) (2011). Status of the Tigers,Co-predators, and Prey in India, 2010. National Tiger Conservation Authority, Govt. of India, New Delhi, ar.d Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. TR 2011/003 pp-302.

7. Q. Qureshi, S. Saini, P. Basu, R.Gopal, R. Raza and Y. Jhala 2014). Connecting Tiger Populations for long-tem~ conservation. National Tiger Conservation Authority & Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.

8. Y. V. Jhala, Q. Qureshi, End R. Gopal (eds) 2015. The status of tigers, co-predators & prey in India 2014. National Tiger Conservation Authority, New Delhi & Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. TR2015/021.

9. Western Chats: UNESCO World Heritage Centre: https:f/whc.unesco.org/en/1isU1342/

10. WIT (2016). Eco-friendly measures to mitigate impacts of linear infrastructure on wildlife. Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.

11. Jha, CS, et al. 2000. Deforestation and land use changes in Western Chats, India. Curr. Sci..79, 231—238.

12. Ramachandra, TV, et al.. 2013. Fragmentation of Uttar Kannada Forests. Sahyadri Conservation Series 29, ENVIS Techninal Report 57. Centre for Ecological Sciences, uSc, Bangalore.

13. Sara M. Santos, Antonio Mira, Filipe Carvalho (2017). Current knowledge on Wildlife Mortality in Railway. Railway Ecology (pp 11.22). hrtps://link.springercom/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-3- 319-57496-7 2.ndf

Page 19 Annexure I

UEW4VJ$ILU3QUN.0 •4~w ~I’&~1~ Government ollndhi T35~fl q$1~dR mf~t Ministry of Envlranment Forest & Climate Change i’~ din, ~u’i ~2êa~1 Naltonal Tiger Conservation Authmity S.’. F. No, 7”IZ/ZOZe’NTCA New tielbI, the July 03,2020

OFFfCE MEMORANDUM

Sob: Propfl~t1 rap dlvers4otl ci TOIlS ha (9.57 ha In Dandell Wildlife Sanctuary & aSS ha in Ifallyal Division) of forest land for to non’forestry purpose for doubling of tiw track between Tfnnalghat~Cast1erock~Caranzol by &nzth Western Baliway, Habit

Refz Wildlife INvision’s (kM No. 6-53,2020 WLdated 29.Cl&2CR

With Ihc ap~n’anl *1 the CompelthttAuthorfly. a t~n Is btnthy c*nstuuted to cause she ampraisal in ctrnnectiop wWi i,afon’said mtn:icmrd suhfret. a. umtts

4a~ R&~;,rtsetiIarIih~ of NTCA, Regional Office, BengaluR. (b) Represent~iveofChMW~Idli&W~nlen,Gocrt.ofi

2. The teriw.atsd reivn,nce oitho ~ald teant ~re as follows; — To cinj~e site ~tp;iraisal to cwahu~te the .u~a v(c’,~-kst I.Iger di ei~~aL dis1rltn~tkm, flhllHSiiVitV ~ g~~l M~pJ1esr mIHg~unn i~ieasuv~s, ~fany

3. The team will submit report within 10 days of issue oltit,. 0111cc Memon~nUun Nick rt~p;neri~ative shafl coonhiate the fteid visit V “~ 3i7)~~i.. (Ntshant Verrnwh I Deputy inspector General of Forests (NTCA) £-mall: ~ TetNo ÷Ql II 34 31, 7at37~9 Fax~.4t 112436 7a36 Distribution: 1. MI Mernbn~ (4 tlw Team. 2 The PS to A1)G (P19 & MS (NTCA) lorkiud infOrmation please 3. The Chief Wtldhfe Warden, Govt otMarnatab. for knid mk~nnat~on please. 4 south Western hallway, Ilubli, Karnataka. 5 The Fieki l3ircctor Wall Tiger Resera), Uuar Prad&sh fur kind mtannatinn & a’ssary minn plea’c

P7 E,,’(.5c4 Mtp7;a~4Itft~W.~;flJ) 4~tS ~ OeXt 4 t~P~U? r~-r~c~ ~%.~.i;fl ~r. .~ J’ W t~Vtv~:F,~ •~ ~•p •p• ‘in.4~

Page 20 Annexure II - Photographs of field visit and project area

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Plate 1. Four laning of NH4 A highway under progress near Tinaighat.

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— —— t. -. Plate 2. Bridge over Buski river. The boundary of Castlerock ~ange starts from here. Forest on the right side of bridge will be cleared for new railway track.

Page 21 a.

Plate 3. Existing single line railway track near Castlerock Forest Rest House.

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Page 22 Plate 5. A view of Western Ghat forests of Karnataka and Goa.

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Plate 6. Laying of new track will thvolve cutting of left side Sill slope since the proposed alignment of new track is to the left of existing track.

Page 23 77 Ii a’

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....aa Plate 7: Pillar marking the bcundary of railway land. ApproxLmately 15 meter on either side of existing railway track having good forest cover is currently under the ownership of South Western Railway.

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Plate 8. A goods train emerging out of a tunnel. The new track alignment is to the left of this track and there will be a detour for constructing new tunnel.

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Plate 9. Another tunnel with the facade of a fort. Wherever tunnels exists, a new tunnel has been proposed :o the left (while facing Kulem from Castlerock).

Plate 10. Interior of an existing tunnel.

Page 25 ~o1

Plate 11. Garanzol, one of the three existing intemied.iary stations between Castlerock — Kulem section. These stations will be widened to accommodate new line (to the left of existing track).

Plate 12. Dudhsagar falls a major tourist attraction of Goa with existing rail track in the foreground. A new bridge is proposed next to the existing bridge.

Page 26 “4

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Plate 13. Another view & Dudhsagar falls. The catchment area lies in Kali Tiger Reserve, Karnataka.

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Plate 15. Evergreen forest of Western Ghats surrounding the proposed diversion area on all sides.

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Plate 16. Left side valley and right side steep hill (when facing Castlerock from Kulem side). This terrain is feature is common all along the existing rail track.

Page 28 210

Plate 17. Another view of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (in Karnataka) and adjoining Bhagwan Mahaveer National Park of Goa.

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Plate 18. A landslide at Castlerock station.

Page 29 THE DETAILS OF THE FOREST AREA CONSIDERED BY SC NBWL-7IN BRIEF ARE GIVEN IN THE TABLE BELOW

Total Forest Name of the Name of the Forest Area Forest Area No. of trees area S. No. Nameof the Proposal involved in involved in proposed for involved in State Protected Area PA (in Ha.) non-PA (in Ha.) felling Ha.

Tinaighat— Castlerock Aiis[ii Kali ligei — Caizon Railway Karnataka 9.57 0.88 5413 10.45 Reserve (SouthWestern

. Railway)

•Bhagwan Kulem— Madgaon MahaveerWildlife Railwaydoubling 14.4185 2.095 1459 16.514 Sanctuary project 2 Goa MahaveerWildlife Castlerock— Kulem Sanctuary! Mollem doubling 113.857 7.108 19182 120.875 NP F.No.6-161/2020 WL Government ol India Ministry of Environment. Forcst and Qlimale Cr ange ~ (Wildlife Division) “ Floor. N Wing. Indira Paryavaran Bhatvan. Jor I3agh Road. Aligani, New Delhi— 110003.

Dated: 22”’ Januaiy,202 I

To - All MemDers Standing Committee of Nil WE.

Sub: Minutes of 60~” Meeting of:he Standing Committee ofNationd Board for Wild Life- reg. Sit / Madam. Kindly find enclosed copy oCthe Minutes of 60” Meeting cfthe Standing Committee of

Njiional hoard for Wild Life held on 5(1 January. 2021 under i~e chairmanship of l-lon’hle Minister of Environment. Forest and Climate Change. Government r’India.

Yours fhithfully,

~Suretigloth~ Scientist Email: [email protected] End: As thove Distribti tion: I. Secretary, Mokl&U 2. DGI&SS. MoEF&C( 3. AD(. i:t WI ). Mol: F&CC 4 ADC I ‘C). Mol I-k IC 5 .ADCF (PT) and Member Secretary. NTCA 6. Director/IGF. PF Di~ ision. Mol! F&CC 7. Direeroi. Wil, Dehradun

8. 1)irector. (lEER Foundation, Gaudhinagat . (jujarat 9. Prof. R. Sukumar. Member. NI3WL 10. Dr. I 1.5. Sirigh. Member. NBWL IL Secretary. Fnvironmcnt. I orest. Science and Technology Deziartnwnt. Govt. of Aridhra Pradesh.

Copy to: PS to lion ‘Ne MoE F&UC 2. PS to HonThIc MoSE[-&CC 3. PPS to DGF&SS. MoEF&CC 4. PSO to AddwGL:(wL), SrPPS to IGF(WU 5. Additional Chief Secretary I Principal Secretary! Secretary. Forest Department. Andaman & N icobur Islands. Andhra Pradesh. Assam 13 ihar. Karnataka. Ker2la. Maharashtra. Rajasthan, Telangaria Uttarakhand. I Ittar Pradesh; 6. ~a F & f-Iofl’. Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Andhra Pradesh. Assam, Bihar. Karnataka, Kerala. Maharashtra. Rajasthan. Telangana, Uttarakhand. Uttar Radesli; 7. ( hief Wild life Warden, Andaman 6:. Nicohar Islands, Andbra Pradesh. Assant, Bihar, Isarnataka. Kerala. Maharashtra. Rajasthan, ‘[elangana, Uttarakhznd, Uttar Pradesh. certificate with respect to the Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining, 2020.

60.2.6 Sixteen Writ Petitions of Quarry Owners - Judgments of the Hon’b~e High Court of Kerala received with copies of Environmental Clearance

along with all other necessary papers, Kerala State (Original Agenda — 58.3.2)

60.2.7 Judgement of the Kerala High Court dated 13.03.2020 in W.P(C) 7571/2020 and Judgment dated 23.03.2020 in W.P(C) 9061/2020, the two proposals viz. M/s Bestonne Granite Metals Pvt Ltd and Shri US. Raveendran (Mfs Nobel Granites) reg. NOC for the petitioners mining projects located within 10 kms of ldduki Wildlife sanctuary and Malabar

Wildlife Sanctuary (Original Agenda — 59.3.4)

60.2.8 Judgement of the Kerala High Court dated 14.07.2020 in W.P.(C) 13717/2020 request for considering the proposals of M/s Mancombu Granites Ltd. located within 10 kms of national parks and wildlife

sanctuaries in ldukki Districts of Kerala (Original Agenda — 59.3.5)

The Member Secretary stated that above proposals were placed in 59th meeting held on 5~ October, 2020 and :he Standing Committee decided to request the State Government to resubmit the proposals as per the established guidelines and procedures. He further informed the Standing Committee that online applications for two cases were received in the Ministry. However, since, the proposals had shortcomings essential details have been sought from the State Government on these proposals. The reply from the State Government is yet to be received.

The Member Secretary brought to the notice of the Standing Committee the fact that the order of Hon’ble High Court of Kerala is that the State Government should send the proposals with all relevant papers. However, the State Government of Kerala has been forwarding the proposals without proper documents and without following the due procedure.

Decision Taken:. The Standing Committee therefore decided to return the proposals and requested the State Government to forward the proposals with complete documents, as per the prescribed guidelines and procedures and in future similar proposals sent as per the directions of Court should be accompanied with all relevant papers.

60.2.9 Proposal for Tinaighat- Castlerock-Caranzol Railway doubling of South

Western Railways, Karnataka (Original Agenda — 58.5.1) ZN

The Member Secretary briefed the Standing committee that the proposal was considered by the Standing Committee in the 59th Meeting held on 5~ OctOber, 2020 wherein the standing committee requested the Wildlife Institute of India to conduct study and suggest mitigation measures within a period of two months. The Director, WIl has submitted report to this ministry in consultation with Railways and Karnatatca Forest Department and suggested mitigation measures.

Dr. R. Sukumar Member stated that he had conducted studies or Biodiversity assessment in the Tinaighat area and wanted to recuse himself from the decision on the proposals. The Standing Committee agreed to recuse Dr. Sukumar from this proposal.

Decision Taken: After discussions, the ,Standirg Committee decided tc recommend the proposal with the mitigation measures suggested by Wildlife Institute of India enclosed as ANNEXURE II and the following conditions:

A. Conditions imposed by the Chief Wild Life Warden: 1. No work shall be done before sunrise and after sunset in the project area. 2. The user agency and project personnel will comply with the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act,1972 3. The speed limit of the trains shall be followed strictly upto 35 kmph during night and 40 kmph during day time. 4. The muck generated during the tunnel excavation shall be disposed out of the sanctuary area without endangering the flora and fauna. B. The annual compliance certificate on the stoulated conditions should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wild Life Warden and an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chief Wild Life Warden to Government of India.

60.2.10 Proposal for use of 6.704 ha of reserve forestland from Pilibhit Tiger Reserve for Mailani- Pilibhit Gauge Conversion chainage 212.520- 213.070 KM and 242.310-250.140 KM (8.38 KM) between Kuriya

Dudhiyakhurd and Sandal Mala,Uttar Pradesh State (Original Agenda — 59.6.2)

The Member Secretary stated that the Standing Committee in 59th Meeting had decided that the animal passage plan forwarded by the Chief Wild Life Warden shall be vetted by Wildlife Institute of India. The report received from the Director, WII suggests that anima passage plan forwarded by the Chief Wild Life Warden was not as per the guidelines and needs a relook based on ecological, economical and hydrological aspects. 4j,,g*jgg4 9CceII5) CASTLE ROCK , i c

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MINISTRY OF POWER CENTRAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY ORDER Ne’~V Delhi, the 28th November, 2018 5.0. 5859(E%—Whereas MIs Goa Tami~ar T±ansmission Projects Limited (GTTPL), the applicaht with its registered office at F-i, The Mira Corporate suits; 1 &2, Jshwar Nagar. Mathura Rbad, New Delhi - 110065, has applied for authorization under Section 164 of the Electricity Act, 200~ fbr laying of eJectric lines under the transmission scheme “Additional 400 kV Feed to Goa and Additional System forPowerEvacuation from Generation Projects pooled atRaigarh (Tarnnar) Pool”.

And whereas,’ CEA, Ministry of Power, Government of India vide its letter No.26/3IPSPA- 1/2017/491-492 dated 15.06.2017 had .granted.ptiorapproval under section 68(1) of the Electricity Act, 2003 to MIs Goa Tamnar Transmission Projects Limited Lor thefl transthission scheme “Additional 400 kV Feed to Goa and Additicnal System for Power Evatuation from Generation Projects pooled at Raigarh (Tamnar) Pool”. 2~~

And a ow the app1ic~ ha~~d ~f& up Electricity Act, 2003, which the telegraph authoritY possess under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 with respect to the placing of telegraph lines and posts for the purpose of a telegraph established or maintained by Government or to be so established or maintained for laying of electric lines under the transmission scheme “Additional 400 kV Feed to Goa and Additional System for Power Evacuation from Generation Projects pooled at Raigarh (Tamnar) Pool” with the following scope of work: -

1) LILO of one ckt. of Narendra (ex:sting) — Narendra (New) 400kv U/c quad line at Xeldem

2) Xeldern — Mapusa 400 kV U/c (Quad) line

3) Keldern — Xeldem (existing) 220 kV HTLS U/c line

4) Dhara~njaygWh Pool Section B - Raigarh ~Tami~ar) Pool 765kV U/c the The overhead lines covered under the above scheme will. pas~ through, over, ~ound and between the following villages, towns and cities:

1. LILO of one i±t. of Narendra (existing) — Narendra (New) 400kV U/c quad line at Xe}dem

&No. Name of Villages Tehsil District, State

1. SANGOD, SANCORDEM, MOLEM(MOLBN)~ ... COLEM(E0LEM~, SIGAO(SflGAQN), SUKTOLI, DONc-ARWADA; MELKA, BOMDI, PANAS, AGLOTh, SURLA, MURGE, DEULMAL, PHATIYAG~L, SAflAL, DARBANDORA SOUTH GOA GOA JA~OLI, GAUL~0D1~ KANSAVALI, BOI~UMAL, BARKATEN, PALASKATE. NANDRAN, BOLKHANE, MADHALAWADA; BOWAR, TARADE, DHARGE, MATKP~.... ICAPBMAL,T~fl

2. MALPON . . . SATARI NORTH GOA, GOA 3. ANMOD, KARAMBAL, KUMBARV~A, KASKARVADI, ATLE, DUDGALI, TINAI, KHAYILEYM~~ . . . MEDA,KALAMBULLI (KALAMBULI)~ DEVALLI(DEV~LT)~ AKHETI, KONSHET,KIJNG~ 1), BHURKATHAM . UTTAR (KAP~ GUDDA), 3ALKAM~AflI~ SAVARKOP, DUSIG, JODA~SUPA’ KANNWA AMBEVADI, ~VEL, BARALKOD,lAD0~~ / KARNATAKA CHANDVADI (CHANDAWADI% GOVINDAVADI, MAESINGAL, KnALIVADI, PAMIYAYDI, KUITVADI, TU’4AIGHAT, MATAGENAVAULVADKARVADA~ PAYASVADI~AYASWAD~~PmEGALJ

4. MOFIHSET(MOH~BT),AflA~~ WATRE (VATR.E)1 MAHARVADA; GAVEGALI, PATYB, WARICI4ADPATYBr SULTEM DONGAR, pUDEVAL- KONGULDEV DONGAR, UBAWALE,GHOSE K H, GAVLWADA, VARKAP, GO~A, LOI~A, ØwJMTALA~ POTQLI, KAMATEGE, SATNALI(SATANALI)~ BRALAZEK H, GHOSE, GHOSE B~ARAIm(GHOSE B IQ, GHOSE 1G~RD (GHOSE K H),

KO~U K G, .JATGAQATAGE), MAcHALT, S~OP - BUtRUKH(SI~DHOLLI BK), sIm1poLI KHURD BELAGAVI,

(SHIDHOLLI K H) , KAPOLI (KQPQLI KG), . ., KHANAPUR KARNATAKA HALSAL~ALA~)~ SE~ThAN, DIGQBGAU, ANGADI, MALVAD(MALW~). BHATEVADI(B~TBWP~~~OT NJANKANDT,K0D~M HALSI(HALA5ffl)~ HALGA~ALA~)~ MBRDAaVmRA~)~ KARAIGI, CH1CHKHA~~ HATfARVAD(~~nARWAD)~ ICR HALSI (KWHALASHI),MB0AL~OT~ LINGAPUR, CHANKEBAIOLW~~~” GHASTOLI(GASTOLLI).MASI~~ p1

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HOSHATTI, KUKKENAnDAUAS RAMAPUR, •MANGENKOP ALIAS GHOSENATI’I, GHASTOLI DODDI, SURAPUR, KAKKERI, SURPUR RAMAPUR, KERVAD (ICERWAD) ______S. DEGAON, NTNGADAHALLL GANGANHATTI, SAGAM, BELAGAVL KULVALLI (KULLAVALLI~, HONAPUR ~HONNAPUR), IUTTUR. KARNATAKA TEGUR, KInUR, KATRI DADDI, LINGAPUR, MACHI 6. TEGUR, DUROADICERI(DURGADAKRI), KALLAPUR, VENKATAPUR, MATIICOP, HALE TEGTJR, KOTUR, GULLADKOP(GULEDAKOPPA),HOSVAL(HOSAWAL. SINGANHALLI(SHINGANAHALL]J, KUMMANAYAKANAKOPPA, BOGUR, BELUR, DHARWAD, NIRALKATTI(NEERALAKATTI), MOMMIGATTI DHARWAD KARNATAKA (MUMMIGATTI), OARAG, HEGGERI, GUNGARGATTI, NARENDRA, MNGALGATTJ, MULMUTTAL(MULAMUTTAL) DEVAGIRI-M-NARENDRA, LAKMAPUR (LAKAMPUR), DASANAKOP (DASANAKOPPA, GOVANKOPPA, GOVANAKOPPA-M-NARENDRA

2. Xeldem — Mapusá 4OOkV D/C (Quad) line

District S. No. Name of Villages Tehsil COLVALBOOLVAL), BARDEZ, CHIIG~LI(auICLI), MAYNA, PATTJR, SODIEM, KAMURLI(CAMURLIM), SAURAK, MADEL, KUCHELI, SONDI, DHULIT, DAT; GARIGAD, TIVIM, AKOI, KARASWADA, .PEDE, 13W0L1, NORTH GOA, KAMAKHAJAN, DHAMDE, KERO, LIMAVADA, MADEL, BARDEZ GOA MOIDE, UKKASSAIM, INDIRA NAGAR, NACIUNOLA, DHANJYA, BODIYE, SIRSAT, PANARIM, QU1TULA(KITLE), ALDONA(HALDONA), CORTUEM, ASNODE, KHQRJE, KHORUJUVEN, KHURJUVEN, 2. MULGAON, SHRIGAON, PAIRA. SHIKERI, MAYEM, BAVKOYE, SASTAWADI, SAUNDAR, GAONKARWADA, KAPEHAT, KUMARWADA, KALBAYVADI, LAMGAON, WALSHT, BORDE, VARPAL, SHARDA NAGAR, JAMBHULBHAT MAYEM,VISHWAS NAGAR,MADHtJEAN, EHATWADI, DICHOLI, SARVAN, DHABDHAEA, VARGAON, BJCHOLIM(DICHOLI), PILIGOAN, SARMANAS, KUDNE, NORTH GOA, KARAPUR, GHADIWADA, BHOLWADA, AMONA~AMONE), •BICHOLIM VIRDI, KAREKHAJAN, KUDAPWADA,VAJRL MAT, GOA NAVELJM, DEVALWADA, MAYNI, PHANASWADA, PHARINEAG, PHAL, SURLA, C1-JICNEWADA, DINONASUR, KHODGINE, BARAJAN, KADSAL, BHAYLIPHAL, JOSHIWADA, EHILYAN, TARIJIWADA, VELGEM, KOTAMBI, GAtJKAWADA, VELGE, VAYALEWADA, AMBEGAL, MASTAKWADA, PALE(PALI), THORLA, CHAVDIWADA, KHAJANWADA 3. BETGI, VALVAL TIRALWADA,.NANUSWADA. KHANDOLA, NORTH GOA, USOAON, GANGEM(GANJE), KCSUMWADA, PONDA GoA GOTIAKHADILWADA, BONDLA. 4. PORCEM, SONUS, ICANKERE, VANTE MADHOIWADA, PADELI MOTIWADE, MELAVAU MIRMUNE, VAGE, SATARI NORTH GOA, PAIKUL, SHAlL, SURLA, CONQUIRBM(KANKIREM), GOA DHADA, MELAULI ~ JUA TISWADI NORTH GOA, GOA :1 KUMBHARWADA, s:wDa GURK~, TAL~AY,

3. Xeldem (New) -Xeldem (existing) 220kV HTLS DIC line District S. No Name of Vill~ges Tehsil QUEPEM, XELDEM(SELDE), KONDI, TILAMAL,

KARYAGAL, KOPROMADDI, IHANWADA, SHELDE, * AMONA, AVEDEN, DHAMAD, PUNAMAD,KAK0NM~~. LAMBDYABHAT, KOTAMBI, MADEGAL, THORLEMAL, SOUTH GOA. TAMKJ, BETMADDI, DHRLAKHAI,TMLM~~N. GOA TAMTAMARDI, KARMALIWADA, GUADIAWADA, QUEPEM CURCHOREM, CACORA(KAKODA), ODAR(HODAR), GHANEMORODXEuJ~M, GUOTMARAD, PANTIMAL, ASOLDA, KAMRAL, DABOMAL, MAAD KAKODA, BANSAI, CUPPAMODDI, KUDCHADEM, KARVAMADDI, PANGIRWAL SHELVAN SOUTH 00k PARODA, KALARI. SALCETE GOA

SOUTH 00k SANVARDEM (SANVORDEM). RUMBREM, KAPSHBN, SANGUEM • GOA ANANDWADI, DHADO, p~NUDAK, GUDDEMAL, - AMBEUDAK, SANTONA, VALDAV, CALEM. NORTH GOA, PONDA MAPA, PANCIWADI, DIGAS, NAUBHAT. GOA

5. BANDOLIGOL, VAGIN, MORKANI, SAVARGAL, BAI3ULI, UHANDOLI, BANDOLI, MATOJENVADA, soUtH GOA. TUNAMARADVADA, VANSAYVADA, KrRLAPAL, IDARBANDORA GOA KARMANI, DHAT, CODLT(KODLI). CORMONEM, KAJUMAL, BISKAL, SAN000, SIGAO~SHIGA0N), TATODI, SUKTOLI, PALASKATE, BARKATEN.

4. Dbaramjaygarh Pool Section B — Raigarh (Tamnar) Pool 765 kV DIC line

S.No. Name of Villages TehsiI Dssftict

1. BHBNDRA, BAIHAMURA, GHARGHODA, KANCHANPUR, BADEOUMDA (BARE GUMDA), CHOTEGUMDA (CFIHOTE GUMDA), NAWAPARA, TENDA, BARPALI, PONDICHAL, JHARIYAPALI, KASAJA, CHARPALI, BAHIRKELA, RAIGARE ICHARAMURA, KAPARDAHL GHARGHODkPARA, ,RARGHODA CHHATTISGARW BHALUMAR~ AMLIDIH, KURKET, BHANKBTA;~CATANGDI. G0HARI;NAvAGAI

M/s Goa Tamnar Thnsrnission Projects Limited (CYI’TPL) bad complied with the Mop’s procedure for obtaining the authorization under section 164 of ElecthdtY Act, 2003 for the above scheme. Now, after careful consideration, Cenaal ~lectricity Authority, Ministry of Power, Government of India, under section 164 of the Electricity Act, 2003, confers all the powers to M’s Goa Tamnar Trnnsmission Projects Limited for laying above overhead lines; which telegraph authority possesses under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 with respect to placing, of telegraph lines and posts for the purposes of a telegraph established or maintained; by Government or to be established or maintained subject to following terms and conditiOns for installing thS above mentioned lines, namely; (i) The approval is ranted for 25 years; (ii) The Applicant. shall ¶~ave to seek the consent of the concerned authorities i.e. local bodies, Railways, National Highways, State Fhghways etc. before erection of proposed lines; (iii) The Applicant shall have to follow regulations/codes of the App~optiate Commission regarding transmission, 08cM, open access, etc., framed under Electricity Act, 2003. (iv) The Applicant has been entrusted with the re~ponsibili~ for laying of electric lines under the transmission scheme “Additional 400 IN Feed to Goaand Additional S”stem for PowWEvacuation from Generation Projects poOled at Ralgarh ~Tamnar) Pool”. The’d~tails of the works are published in the

Gazetre of.h.dia dated 26th May — 015t June, 201& (v) The Applicant shall operate the lines after approval of Electrical InspeCor / Chief Electrical Inspector of Central Oovemnlent .. (vi) The approval is àubject to compliance of the requirement of the provisions of.the Electricity Act, 2003 and the rules made there under by the applicant. (vii) ‘M/W GflPL shall have to submit the requisite .clearances to Central Eiecthciw Authority after obtaining the same from concerned authorities like Civil AviWdor, Defence etc., at the time of Electrical! Inspection. [F. No. ~ Division] P.C. KUREEL, Secy., CEA

olgitafly sj~iad Uploaded by the. ox outing at bovenmient ox India 1 ress, Rmg Road, May~pufl, New Velhi-l 10064 sad Published by the Controller of Publications, Deliñ-1 :0054. A I fl ~.( Zl3~f ALOK ‘OJMAR PCtij R~R !C~ .Eat,s~20U112.O3 U\\~._ u’itb $U,.~ 11;4n1~ .i.rj5’30’ a 37

~4% I GOA TAMNAR TRANSMISSIONPROJECTSLIMITED I

- 400kv fl/C LRO of Narendra(Existing)to Narendra(New)at Xeldem V DivisionWisedetailsof ForestAreaandTreeswith no of towers Annexure-ZO ForestLen tWArca/trees Name of Forest Wildlife Govt Forest Pvl/Deemed Forest Total S.No Name of State Line Length Division Length Area No of No of Length Area No of No of Length Area No of No of Length Area No of No of Km Ha Trees Towers km) (Ha Trees Towers (Km Ha Trees Towers (Km Ha Trees Towers North Goa Division 0 0 0 0 428 21.99 7924 13 3.21 14.77 3709 6 .99 3626 11633 19 Goa

2 WildlifeDivision 2.51 11.53 4139 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.51 11.54 4139 North Goa 6

SubTotal (Goa) Goa 2.51 1154 4139 5 4.78 21.99 7924 13 3.21 14.77 3709 6 10.5 483 15772

Dharwad Forest

L)ivisio,i 0 (3 0 0 1.040 4.786 1865 2 0 0

2 BolgaumForest Division 0 0 0 0 19.505 89.723 41464 50 2.614 12.024 Kamataka Haliyal Forest Division 0 0 0 0 8.727 10.146 255 23 0 0 Dandeli Wildlife SancwaTy 6.611 30.412 15946 17 0 0 0 0 0 SubTotal Karnataka 6.611 30.412 15946 17 29.272 134.655 43584 75 2.614 12.024 (Karnataka)

23 ill

Comparative Statement of 2 alternative routes I~/ ~ . arfgWt? - Descnption Alternate Route I Alongwith 110 kV Existing Lrne (Proposed Route) (Tentative)

Bee Line Length 10.348 1cm 10.348 Km Une Length 16.331 Km 13 Km No of Tower (WL&NP) 6 no 20 nc Forest Length 7.99 Km 2.772 Km Wildlife Length 2.51 Km 2.473 Km (Soa) 1425 Km (KA) National Park Nil 2.854 Km Total Forest & WL 10.50 Km J 9.524 Km Length

Forest Area (Ha) .~ 36.76 Ha 1 12.75 Ha Wfldlife & NP Area 11.64 Ha 17.94 ha V National Park Area Nil 13.13 Ha Total Forest & WL Area 48.30 Ha .7 43.52 Ha Enumerated Trees 15772 J 30000 / 1~xpeoted to be felled 5100 9500 Expected to be felled on 240 2180 Tower Spat Comparative Statement of three alternative routes fY1 1< anuz&ko

Description Alternate Route 1 Alternate Route 2 Alternate Route 3 (Proposed Route)

• Bee Line Length 75 .642 Km 75.642 Km 75.642 Km

Line Length 77.64 Km 79.1 Km 79.85 Km

Angle Points 50 62 54

Forest Length 31 .887 Km 43.40 Km 41.91 Km

Wildlife Length 6.61 Km 8.1 Km 8.944 Km

Total Forest & WL 38.497 1Cm 51.5 Km 50.853 Km Length

Forest Area (Ha) 146.679 I-la 199.64 Ha 192.731 Ha

Wildlife & NP Area 30.412 Ha 37.2~ Ha 41.142 Ha

Total Forest & WL 177.091 Ha 236.9 Ha 233.923Ha Area

Density of Forest Moderate Dense High Dense Modera~ Dense Area J33

U-.— M1NU ~ES ci’ Ti FIFTIETH MVi:’iIN (IV RV( ;u )NAI. I’.Mi” )WVRV) CThlMii’l’VV iiI? wia;IONAI. c)ll”i(’I~ (SZ), HAN’ /‘I’( 1kV I iVl~i) ( )N 23/02/2021

IN TII~ cWFJCE c)F NV9k )NAL UPFICI~R / THE DEPUTY DIRI~( “I” ;R ( ;TENERAL QFE1~IS. tcgNTRAkl MINISTRYi2F ENYJJ~~pNMiCNT, V( )R1~STK 1\N iiMAY~ CHANGE, J~!T~3MThP ~ ‘SA.PAN1 .i!)RA,i4AT’4QAk~ BANGALORE THROUGH ViDEO CONFERENCE.

The Fiftieth meeting of the Regional Empowered Committee (REC) of ERG, Bangalore was held on 23/02/202 1 in the office of the Regional Officer/ Deputy Director General of Forests (Central), Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Integrated Regional Office, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, Bangalore. The list of members who participated in the meeting is attached as (Annexure- 1).

Initiating the discussion, the Chairperson extended warm welcome to the Members of the Regional Empowered Committee (REC). The REC examined the following proposal and the recommendations of REC in respect of the proposals areas under:-

State: GOA

Agenda No, 1: Diversion of 32.085 ha, of forest land for four laning of existing Goa/Karnataka Border (Anmod? -Mollem Section of NH-4A from km 84,133 to km 97.000 in thá State of Goa in favour of the Executive Engilneer, WD Division XV (NH), Public Works Department, Ponda.

The Committee considered the following facts of the proposal:

> The proposal is for tructiori of a four laning of existing Goa/ Karnataka

Border (Anmod) -. Mollem Section of NH-4A from km 84,133 to km 97.000 in

\ L of $9

> 3uz of 32.085 ha. of ft rest iand proposed for diversion, 31.015 ha f~S in Shagwan Niaharir Wildlife Sanctuary and 1.07 ha. falls in North Oca Forest Dlvi si on.

- State Government has submitted another proposal for diversion of 31.53 ha. of forest land for four laning of existing Goa/Karnataka Border Panaji Goa Section of NH-4A from 1cm 97.000 to 1cm 153.075 in the State of Goa onBOT Toll) basis under NHDP UI (Anmod to Panaji Section) in favour of the Executive Engineer, WD Division XV (NH), Public Works Department, Fonda. After scrutiny of the proposal. the proposal has been returned to the State Government for want of certain additional information/clarifications.

~ After scrutiny cf the proposal. the State Government has been requested ‘ide letter dated 12105/2020 for furnishing certain details such as NBWL clearance, justification for submitting separate proposal for the same road, whether the User Agency can restrict to the existing width of the road in Protected. Area as it is a critical Wildlife habitat in. Western Chat area anc being adjacent :o the Tiger Reserve, mitigation measures as approved by CWLW etc.

- The State Forest Department vide letter dazed 03/02/202 1 has submitted the information sought by this office vide letter ‘dated 12/05/2020. The State Forest Department inter-alia furnished the following:-

dl NBWL clearance for the proposal which was accorded in the 57th meeting of Standing Committee of the NBWL. The User Agency has justified the submission of two separate proposals stating that one proposal is for forest area involving Wildlife Sanctuary and the other one is for forest area without the Wildlife area. This is to enable the construction of widening of the existing road outside the Wild Life Sanctum-v even if the clearance from the !{BWL takes more time ~iiij The widening of road to four late is essential in the State of Goa because it is one of the world touj-j~ destinations and the road is essential for 3

meeting the present day tratic. NH-4A :s the major highway cornecting the road between Panaji. the State Capital of Goa, with two major cities of the counti)’ namely Hyderabad and Bangalore. (iv) The road is essential to avoid accidents. (v) The project is of Government of India. under the Mthistry of Road Transport and Highway. and it is being implemented by the State Government (Public Work Department. Government of Goa). As per the provision under PtA. 1980 Central Government organization is exempted from providing non-forest land to compensate the forest land diverted for non-forestry purpose.

~ The RoPR certificates as per MoEPs letter No.11-9/98-PC {p.t.) dated 5/07/20 13 is not furnished in the proposal.

~ As per the DSS analysis, the proposal is inviolate as it violates Hydrological Rule and Protected Area Rule.

RECOMMENDA TIOM

REC examined the proposal and heard the presentation made by the User Agency. REC noted that recent])’ REC has approved the diversion of forest land for ddubling the existing Tinaighat -Castlerock -Kulem Railway Line. The railway line will facilitate large scale movement of passengers and goods. Therefore,. State Government may re-examine the widening of the proposed Highway restricting it to 2 lanes instead of 4 lanes in ghat areas of the Wildlife Sanctuary/ National Park. REC also ncted that in Karnataka portion only a 2 lane road is existing in the Protected Area and therefore justification for a 4 lane road in the Protected Area of Goa needs to be provided by the State Government. ~Thile the proposal to have via ducts is found by REC to be suitable, the User Agency is directed to look into the possibility of restricting the requirement of forest land to existing width of 2 lane with provision for geometrical improvement in ghat section. Provisioning of Canopy bridges at suitable distance in consultation with CWLW may also be made in the propcsal. 4

Agenda No.2: fllvenion of 48.30 ha. of forest land for construction of LUJO of one ckt of Narendra (Existing) to Narendra (Wew~ 400 KIT fl/c quad at Zeldem Transmission line (North

DivIsion 36.76 ha. + Wildlife and Eco-Tourism (North) 11.84 ha.j in ~vour of MIs. Gos Tsrnnar Transmission Project Ltd.

The Commlttâe considered the following facts of the proposal:

The proposal is for COnsU-tiction of a 400 NV DC Transmission line invoMz:g diver~jon of 48.3D ha of forest land and 26.882 ha of non-forest land. (Jut 31 4~ 3 ha. Of forest land proposed for diversion, 36.76 ha. is in North G~ Forest Division and the remaining 11.54 ha. forms part of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary The wildlife clearance proposal in respect of area failing in Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary has been given by Standing Committee on NBWL in its meeting held on 07/04/2020.

The User Agency has furnished two other alternate alignments examined ..w them along with route map. As per the selected alignment, the length of the line running through forest is 10.50 kin. Species-wise and girth wise trees existing in the proposed area (15,772) is given in the Part-ti. The User Agency has also furnished an undertaking that the tree will be felled only for erection of towers and essential areas in the corridor and’in any case, it will

not exdeed 35°,~ of the total trees enumerated. .9,

DCF. North Goa Division in the site inspection report mentjone.d that par of the proposed area passes through private forest areas and the User Agency has informed that the actual owners of the land shall be compensated during the consu-~.~0~ period as per Indian Electricity Act, 2003. It is also mentioned thai any litigation arising out of any dispute from actual owner,. tenant of thos.e private properties shall be the sole respOnsibility of User Agency.

/ ~31

11w FR’\ Coniplianee certiticate is furnished.

As per the DSS analysis, the proposal is ir.violate as it violates Hvdm1o~cai Rule and ftotected Area Rule.

The proposal was considered in the 43rd REC meeting held on 24/04/2020. Aftc’r the detailed deliberations, the REC decided to seek additional de:ails from the State Forest Department such as whether the transmission line can be routed adjacent to the existing roads, possibility of laying underground cable, tree felling justification etc. Accordingly, the State Forest Deparimt.nt has been requested vide IRO, Bangalore letter dated

04 PSi 2020 to furnish the requisite details

— The State Forest Department ‘ide letter dated 10/02/2021 submitted the information sought b~’ IRO, Bangalore on 04/05/2020. The details furnished by the State Forest Department are as under:

It is reported that the User Agency has explored two other alternative alignment including the one along the road. As per the alignment explored along the road, the requirement of the Forest land is 51.92 ha. (i.e 15.48 ha. in RF/PF /Private land and 36.44 ha. in Bhagawan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary.

It is stated that underground cabling in Hilly areas will require huge soil excavation in the entire corridor and will have a larger impact on flora and fauna of the area. This will also require extraction of all trees enumerated in the entire corridor.

(iiil With regard to tree felling, it is stated that for transmzssion line projects, only tower foundation areas require clear felling of trees and minimum felling is required beneath the conductor (Cable) \~,‘ to maintain the minimum electrical clearance i.e. 5.5 meter from a3~ 6

hr Ic,wr roiidtutnr to tree canopy. In hilly terrain, transmisSion Ic,wri s ure genenilly fixed at top of the hills which provices 4;utolzlatir grotitid clearance to the transmission conductors without felling of trees in valley areas. Therefore, it is stated that as most of the tower locations are in hilly area, tree felling shall riot be required more than 35% of enumerated tree&.

(iv) it is also mentioned that the transmission line requires diversion of. forest land in the state of Goa as well as Kamataka and therefore, separate forest diversion proposals have been submitted in both states. The forest diversion proposal of Goa state involves Wildlife proposal which has already been approved by the Standing Committee of SBWL and Standing Committee of NBWL in their meetings dated 02/12/2019 and 07/04/2020, respectively. The forest diversion proposal in Karnataka State is also under process with State Forest Department.

RECOA~Z1DATION-

REC examined the proposal and heard the presentation made by the User Agency. REC noted that there is an already existing 110 KV defunct line to Narendra and therefore desired that State Government should explore the possibility of alignment of the proposed 400 KV DC line iftthe same corridor. REC also noted that the User Agency has also submitted a proposal for diversion of 177.091 ha of forest land in Dharwad, Haliyal, Dandeli Wildlife (KaJi Tiger Reserve) and Belagavi Divisions for laying of Goa—Tanmar 400 XV D/C Quad Transmission line (LILO Project) in the State of Karnataka, which is under process at the State Government level for Forest and Wildlife clearance. As per the guidelines issued under F(C) Act, any proposal for linear project such as roads, railway line, transmission line, etc., needs to be processed in their entirety for comprehensive assessment of requirement of forest land and consequences if approval of any forest land is not granted. Therefore, REC decided to consider both the proposals together after receipt of proposal for Karnataka portion. 7

State: KASATAKA

Agenda No.3: Renewal proposal fér diversion of 24.47 ha. (Previous PC approved extent of 26.20 ha) of forest land In Swamyznalai (SM) Block Forest, Near Ranjithpura village, Sandur Taluk~ Bellary District for Mining lease (2245) in ~ favour of MIS. Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Ltd, Pune (‘C’ Category mine c-auctioned and already approved for PC transfer from erstwhile lessee MIs. Bharath Mines & Minerals).

The Committee considered the following facts of the proposah

w The Government of India, MoEF &CC, New Delhi vide letter No. 8.63/2000 -FC dated 20/03/2001 had accorded the approval under Section (2) of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for FC renewal for 26.20 hectare of forest land in Bellarv District in favour of M/s. Bharath Mines and Minerals for a period of 20 years with effect from 06-C±2001. Accordingly the Government of Kamataka vide Order No. FEE 32 FFM 2000, BengalurU dated 04-04-2001 sanctioned the forest lease for extraction of iron ore for a period of 20 years with effect from 6/04/200 1.

~‘ Meanwhile, the Mine in question was identified as C-caregory mine by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and was thus cancelled by Hon File Supreme Court vide Order dated 18-04-2013 in W.P.(Civil) subsequently c-auctioned by the No. 562/2009. The mine was Ferrous Department of Mines and Geology in favour of M/s Kirloskar Industries Limited, Pune Ithe present User Agency who has submitted the renewal proposal] as the Preferred Bidder. accordingly, based on the request of M/s Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Limited, Pune (as successful Bidder), the FC transfer was approved by the Government of India s-ide letter F.No.8-63/200O~ dated 22-01-2020 from the \J~. 8 240 erstwhile Lessee tM/s Bharath Mines & Minerals) with a validity up to 3] 03- 2020.

It is reported that based on the Central Government approvai, U Government of Karnataka vide Ordci- NO.FEE 20 FFM 2019 IeJ dated i: 05-2020 permitted the FC transfer. However the Forest Lease Agreem~i in the name of MIs Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Limited, lkme could n he executed as the Forest Clearance (FC) had already expired on 3 1-0; 2020,

~- R&R Plan prepared by TCFRE has been approved by CEC on 05103,2019.

r The User Agency is engaged in manLfacturing pig iron and cast iron. T] ore extracted from the mine is proposed for captive use.

~- The proposed area for diversion does iot form part of National Park, Wild]: Sanctuary. Biosphere Reserve, Tiger Eeserve, Elephant Corridor etc

- The area is 11.09 km away from the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Gudekote Sb Bear Sanctuary and 20.50 km away from the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Dar Sloth Bear Sanctuary.

- The site inspection of the proposed site was done by DDGF(C) 09/02/2021.

- the FRA Compliance certificate is not furnished.

- As per the DSS analysis. the proposal is not inviolate.

U 1%’

RECOMMENDA TION:

REC examined the proposal and a1~o heard the opinion of CCF(FCJ, Karnataka Forest Department. REC rioted that this is an erstwhile Category C mine, which was cancelled as per the orders of Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 18.04.20 13 aEd c-auctioned by the Deptt. of Mines & Geo1o~’ to the present User Agency. Accordingly, based on the request of M/s. Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Limited, Pune (as Successful Bidder), the FC transfer was approvec by the Government of India vide letter F.No.8~63/2000-FC dated 22-01-2020 from the erstwhile Lessee (M/s Eharath Mines & Minerals) with a validity up to 3~-o32020 CCF(FC), Karnataka has informed that the User Agency has submitted a separate proposal for approach road, which is being presenty processed by the State Forest Department. The same thay be informed to Ministry while forwarding this proposal. After due deliberations, REC recommended the proposal subject to the usual condition and with the followingadditioflal condition:

i. The non-forest land identified for Compensatory Afforestation shall be demarcated using Chain link fencing for better survival with proviéion for irrigation and SMC works, etc. tO

The meeting ended with a formal vote of thanks.

K.P.Singh Suhas jagannath Godse Deputy Director General of Forests (Member) (Central) (Chairperson)

C - ., U. (

~ ~.

Anant Hegde Ashisar Dr. Ayi Vaman Narashinh Acharya (Member) (Member)

I”

M.K.Sh mbh~ R. pa~mawathe Deputy Inspector General of Deputy Inspector General of Forests Forests (Central) (Central) (Member) Member Secretary __ - --—~--——--— ber -

11

Annexure- 1 ua of members 2rhø ~flicipated in the Fiftieth meetingof Regional Empowered ~ (SZL Bangalore held on 2~JO2f2O21 office of the ~ Djrectpr General of Forests (Central), Ministry of ~fl1&2flIPent Forests and Climate Change,. Integrated Regional Office~ Kencnya Sadan, Koramang~j~ Bangaj~~~

___— (1) Shri. K.P.Singh, Cxiaiaman Deputy Director General of Forests (Central) Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate

.,_. ~. Change, Jntegrated Regional Office, Bangaore. — ______

(2) Shri. Suhas Jagannath Godse, House No.525 A, Vodlem Bhat, Near Pandurang Temple, Vodle Bhat,

~4T~ao,P.O. Caranzalem,Tiswadi, Goa. ______

(3) -Shri, Anant Hegde Ashisar, --— Member Village Ashisar, PD Bhairumbe,

Tehsil-Sirsi, Uttara Kannada, --—-______—

[T~I Dr. Ayi Vamari NarashinhAchaiya, Member ~ No, 89, 6th Main, 3rd Stage, 4th Block, L______Basaveshwaranagar, Bangalore

(5) I Shri Saurav Kumar, IFS, ---- Special

. Conservator of Forest, Invftee

I Government of Goa, Goa. — (6) Shri. GokuI, I.F.S Special

; C.C.F (FCA) . Invitee I Fotests Department, Karnataka. Government of Karnataka.

: (7) Shñ. M.K.Shanthhu, I.F.S Member Deputy Inspector General of Forests (Central) Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change Integrated Regional Office, Bangalore

(8) Smt. R. Padmawathe, I.F.S Member Deputy Inspector General of Forests (Central) Secretary

. Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change ~ Integrated Regional Qffice, Bangalore.

**** * ** Z~IRff ~ GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

W ~pjt~ ~t~wáw ~ MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST & CLIMATE CHANGE ~ INTEGRATED REGIONAL OFFICE Kendriya Sadan, IVth Floor, E& F Wings, 17°’ Main Road,

find Block, Koramangala, Bangalore — 560 034. TeLNo.080-25635905, E.Mail: [email protected]

BYSPSD POST No.4-GOB 1 204/2012-BAN Dated the 19°’ Novembr, 2020 To

The Principal Secretary (Forests), Government of Goa, Secretariat Annexe, Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa -403 52. Subject: Diversion of 69.41 ha. of forest land in North Goa Forest Division in Goa State for construction of 400 KV DIC Xeldem-Mapusa Transmission Line in favcur of

MIs. Goa Tamnar Transmission Project Ltd - reg.

Sir, I am directed to refer. to’ Dy Conservator of Eor~sts1 Mon toring & Evaluation, Forest Departfnént Gov&nmSnt of Goe’è letter No.6-883-20W-20-FD/2030 dated 261071201S and 11/04/2020 seeking prior approval of the Central Governmpnt in accordance with Secticn’2’ of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 in respect of the above project. The in-principle (Stage-I) approval to the project was accorded by the Central Government vide letter of even rurnber dated 29°’ April, 2020. The State Forest Department vide letter No.6-883-201 9-20-FD13209 dated 05/11/2020 had reported compliance to the cbhciltions stipulated by the Central Government in the in-principle approval.

After careful consideration of the proposal of the State Government, I am directed to convey Central Government’s approval (Stage-Il) under Section’2’ of Forest (Conservation~ Act, 1980 for diversion of 69.41 ha. of forest Land in North Goa Forest Division in Goa State for construction of 400 XV D/C Xeldem-Mapusa Transmission Line in favour of MIs. Gca Tamnar Transmission Project Ltd, subject to the following conditions:-

1. The legal status of forest land shall remain unchanged,

2. The boundary of the forest land to be diverted shall be suitably demarcated on ground at the cost of User Agency.

3. The State of Goa shall ensure successful raising of Compensatory Afforestation in double the extent of dswaded forest land in Karwar Taluk (Karwer, Gopehitta and Ankola range), Uttara Rannada District, Karnataka and its maintenance. The State Government shaH submit a complianceof raisk~g Compensatory Afforestatiort wttiin tw~ years of the sanction of the project.

Page 1 of 3 4. Additional amount of the Net Present Value (NPV) of the diverted forest land if any becoming due after revisio, of the same by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in future, shall be charged by the State Government from User Age—cy and the same shall be transferred to the designated Adhoc CAMPA Account. 5. The felling of trees shall be minimal and in any case less than 35% of the trees enumerated for the project, as already undertaken by the User Agency.. 6. The User Agency shall fell the trees and initiate work only ~er the entire length of the project land is acquired and free from any encumbrances to start the project. 7. The User Agency will comply with all the conditions/mitigation measures imposed by Chief Wildlife ‘Warden in respect of the portion of the transmission line passing through Eco Sensitive Zone of Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary. 8. If any forest land is required in respect of this transmission line in Karnataka State, the same shall be dealt independently and no fall accompil situation shall be cited by user agency later. 9. Sui:able eco-friendly measures to mitigate impacts of transmission lines on wildlife, especially birds, need to be taken up as per the guidelines of ~Mldlife Institute of India to reduce the risk of collision and. electrocution in consultation with the State Forest

Department. . 10-The User Agency shall comply with. the guidelines for laying transmission lines through for~t areas issuedThy Ministry vide letter No. 7-25/2012-FC dated 05/0512014 and 19/11/2014; 11. The layout plan of the proposal shall not be changed without prior approval of Central Government. 12, No labour camp shall be established on the forest land. 13. No additional or new path wfll be constructed inside the forest area for transportation of construction materials for execution of the project work. 14. The forest area shall be used for the purpose for which it is granted. The total forest area utilized for the project shall not exceed 69.41 ha. 15, The period of diversion under this approval shall be co-terminus with the, period of lease to be granted in favour of the user agency or the project life, whichever is less. 16. The forest land proposed to be diverted shall under no circumsrances be transferred to any other agencies dsp tn~t or person without prior approval of Government of India. 17. Any other condition that the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change may stipulate from time to tune in tr~e interest of conservation protection and development of Forest and Wildlife. 18. Violation of any of these conditions will’ amount to violation of Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 and action would be taken as per the MoEP&CC Guideline F.No.11-422017pc dated 29/01/2018’

Page 2 of3 2%

19. The State Government and user agency shall comply the provisions of all the Acts, Rules, Reg~ilations, Guideihes, NGT order & Hon’ble Court Order (s) pertainiflg to this project, if any, for the time being in force, as applicable to the project. Yours faithfully,

(M.KShàmbhLj~ Deputy Inspector General of Forests (CentraIY

Copy to: 1. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), Government of Goa, Forest Department, Panaji (Goa~, RN- 403 001 (Goa). 2. The Deputy Conservator of Forests (Monitoring &Evaiuation) & Nodal Officer (FCA), Office of the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Fore&s, Government of Goa, Forest Department, Panaji (Goa), PIN- 403 001. 3. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Karnataica, Forest, Ecology &

Environment Department, M.S.Building, Dr.Ambedkar Veedhi, Sangalore — 560 001,

4. .The Principal qhief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), For~sts Department, Govt. of

- Karnataka, Aranya Bhavwa, 18th Cross, Malleswatam1 Bangalore — 560 003

5. The Manager, MIs. Goa Tamnar Transmission Project Ltd., Fl Mira Corporate Suite, Main Mathura Road, lshwar Nagar, New Delhi.

6. Guard file. . /4

(M.K.Sham Deputy Inspector General of Forests (Centra)

LI

Page3 of3 Aww~su AC4~(nU~j

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA _ ~~

~ MJNISTRY OF ENVIRONMENt FORESTairn1w~& CLIMATE CHANGE INTEGRATED REGIONAL OFFICE _Kendriya Sadan, IVth Floor, E& F Wings, 17” Main Road,

Ihid Block, Koraniangala, Bangalore - 560 034. TeI.NO.08025635903, EMail: [email protected] BYSPEED POST No.4-GOB 1218/2019-BAN Lo3 Dated the jSI January, 2021

To . The Principal Secretary (Forests), Government of Goa, Secretariat Anriexe, Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa -403 52.

~c\ H) Subject: Diversion of 28.24 ha. of forest land for construction of Xeldem to Xedem (Existing) 220 Ky HTLS/DC Transmission Line under North and South Goa Division (North Goa 5.08 ha ÷ South Goa 23.16 ha) in favour of MIs. Goa Tamnár Transmission Project Ltd - reg.

Sir, 1 am directed to refer to Dy. Conservator of Forests, Monitoring & Evaluation, Forest Department, Government of Goa’s letters No,6~889~2O19~20-FD/421O dated 29i1 112019 and 18)04/2020 seeking prior approval of the Central Goveriment in accordance with Section’2’ of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 In respect of the above project. The in- principle (Stage-I) approval to the project was accorded by the Central Government vide letter of even number dated 29th April, 2020. The State Forest Department vide letter No.6- 889~2020-21-FD/3847 dated 11/12/2020 had reported compliance to the ccnditions stipulated by the Central Government Ifl the in-principle approval After careful consideration of the proposal of the State Government, I am directed to conveV Central Government’s approval (Stage-Il) under Section’2’ of Forest (Conservation) ~ Act, 1960 for diversion of 28.24 ha. of forest land for construction of Xeldem to Xeldem (Existing) 220 Ky HTLS/DC Transmission Line under North anQ South Goa Division (North Goa 5.08 ha + South Goa 23.16 ha) in favour of M/s. Goa Taninar Transmission Project Ltd, subject to the following conditions:

1. The legal status of orest land shall remain unchaiged.

2. The boundary of tie forest land to be diverted shall be suitably demarcated on ground at the cost of User Agency.

3. The State of Goa shall ensure éuccessful raising of Compensatory AfforestaUofl in double the extent cf degraded forest land in Karwar Taluk (Karwar, Gopshitta and Ankola range), Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka and its maintenance. The State Government shall submit a compliance of raising Compensatory Afforestation within two yeats of the sardion of the project. Page lof3 4. Additio”~1 amount of the Net Present Value (NPV) of the diverted forest land if any becominlg due after revision of the same by the Honble Supreme Court o’ India in future shall be chargec by the State Government from User Agency and tim same shall be transferred to the designated Adhoc CAMPA Account,

5. The felling ortreeS shall be minimal & actually required, and in any case ess than ~5% of the trees enumerated for the project, as already undertaken by the User Agency.

6. The User Agency shall fell the trees ahd initiate work only after the entire length of the project land is acquired and free from any encunbrances to start the project.

7. The User Agency will comply with all the condition&mitigatiOn measures imposed by Chief Wildlife Warden in respect of the portion of the transmission line passin,g through Eco Sensitive Zone of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary.

8. The State Government shall hand over the forest land and permit cutt[ng of trees only after ensuring that all other approvals, acquisrtiofl of land related to the project etc. are in place and shall ensure that fait accompli situation does not arise. This condition shall also apply to lands, if any, which are essential to this project, but are located beyond this proposal.

9. If any forest land is reqUired in respect of this transmission line in Karnatalca State, the same shall be dealt independently and no fait accompli situation shall be cited by user agency later.

io. suitable eco-fniendlY measures to mitigate impacts of transmission lines on wildlife, especially birds, need to be taken up as per the guidelines of Wildllfe Institute of India to reduce the risk of collision and electrocution in consultation with the State Forest Department.

11.The User Agency shall comply with the guidelines for laying transmission lines through forest areas ~ssued by Ministry vide letter No. 7-251201 2-FC dated 05105/2014 and 19/1112014.

12.The layout plan of the proposal shall not be changed without prior approval of

Central Government. ‘c

13. No labour camp shall be established on the fores: land.

14. No additional or new path will be constructed inside the forest area for transportation of construction materials for execution of the project work.

15. The forest area shall be used for the purpose for which it is granted The total forest area utilized for the project shall not exceed 28.2~ ha.

16. The period of diversion under this approval shall be co~terminu5 with the pehod of lease to be granted in favour of the user agency or the project life, whichever is less.

page2 of3 a~i 17. The forest land proposed to be diverted shall under no circumstances be transferred to any other agencies, department or person without prior approval of Government

18.Any other condition that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change may stipulate from tme to time in the interest of conservation, protection and development of Forest and Wildlife.

19. Violation of any of these conditions wiN amount to qiolation of Forest (Conservaton1 Act, 1980 and action would be taken as per the MoEF&CC Guideline ENo Ii 42/2017-FC dated 29/01/2018.

20, The State Government and user agency shall comply the provisions of all the Acts, Rules, Regulations, Guidelines, NGT order & Hon’ble Court Order (s; pertaining to this project, if any, for the time being in fOrce, as applicabe to the project. Yours faithfiily

(Mi(ShambM) Deputy Inspector General of Forests (Central)

Copy to:

1. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HOFF), Government of Gsa, Forest. Department Panaji (Goa), PIN- 403 001 (Goa).

2.. The Deputy Conservator of Forests (Monitoring &Evaluation) & Nodal Officer (FCA). Office of the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Govemmentl)f Got Forest Department, Paflaji (Goa), PIN- 403 001.

3. The Additional tThief Secretary to Government .~f Kamataka, Forest Ecology &

Environment Department1 M.S.Building, Dr.Ambedkar Veé’dhi, Bangalore — 560 001.

4. The principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), Forests Department God of

Karnataka, Aranya Bhavafl, ~ 8~ Cross, Malleswaram, Bangalore — 560003

5~ The Manager, MIs. Goa Tamnar Transmission Project Ltd., Fl Mira Corporate Suita Main Mathura Road, Ishwar Nagar, New Delhi.

6. Guard file. . /~%aCt~•~.n

(M.K.Sh&AbbU) Deputy Inspector General of Forests (Central)

C GTTPL— ABOUTTHEPROJECT

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IT ± The220kvxeiden,-Xeldemtaew~ corned t thenewatstolbnwiththee±frcQWsUtSiOIiOfl 400kV0/cSangod— NarendraLILOTransmissionLine M aw~ erabIe6W tot~~Th&cWrbjlepo%t(to SouthGoc

ArabianSea 765kV0/cDharamjaigarh—TamnarTransmissionLine (spansthroughChhattisgarh) Minutes of. the ~ Meeting bf Standing Conmittee on Power System Planning, in Western Region held on 30.1l.201~5 at NRPC, Katwaria Sarai, New ‘Ueihi.

Member (Power System), CEA welcomed all the participants to the 39th meeting ‘of Standing Committee ‘on Power System’:Planning iii Western Region. The list of

participants is enclosed at Annexuie — 1. Member Sec?etary’ (WRPC), also, welcomed the participants and thanked CEA for reducing the ti’me”gap between suàcessive• standing, committee meetings; He, further said the 30th WRPC• meeting (already ‘held on 24.11 .2D1 5) anc the’ 39~ SCM ‘of WR (bQing held today he; 30.11.201 5) has been hela Within a week. ‘Normally the decis~ns of the Standing Cothmittee are rátified’by the WRPC. Therefore, ;he suggested that the timing of the WRPC meeting and SCM meeting needs to be cocrdinãted in’manner so

that sufficient time gap is available’.between ‘these meetirgs. .,

Member. (Power System), CEA said that the suggestio9 made by Member Secretary: (WRPC) would be kept in mind while, convening, next SCM’ a~d requested Director (PSP&PA-l),.CEA to take’ up the agenda items.

1. Confirmation of the minutes of 3Sth meeting of the Standing Committee on Power System Planning in Western Region’ (SCPSPWR) held’ on 171h July 2015 at NRPC, katwaria Sarai, New Delhi. 1.1. The minutes of the 38~ SCPSPWR were, issued vide CEA letter’No.26/10/201c- SP&PN 1- 14 dated 25~’ August 2015. 1.2. MSETCL vide their letter no. MSECTUCO/TU/302B,SC/20J/12990 dated 8.10.2015 have observed that in item no: 5.2 of the minutes it has been recorded “LILO of Parli- Osmanabad 220 kV DIC line at Parli (PG) 400/220 kV, 2X500 MVA substation” and have requestec to correct the same, as LILO of Parli- Osmanabad 220 kV S/C line at Parli (PC) 400/220 kV, 2X500 MVA substation. 1.3. Taking into consideration the correction suggested by MSETCL, only six no.’ of 220 kV line bays [4 nos. for LILO of both circuifs of ParliHerngul 220 kV line at Parli (PS) and 2 nos. LILO of Parli- Osmanabad 220 kV SIC line at Parlj (P0)1 will be required ins:ead of eight nos. of 220 bays at Parli (PS)’400j~2o kV, 2X500 MVA ttentioned at item no. 5.3 and 5.4 of the minutes of the 38~ SCPSPWR

.1.4. With the above modificationd th~ minutes of the 38th meeting of the Standing Committee on Power System Planning in Western Region were confirmed: 2. Review of Progress on Earlier Agreed Transmis&on Schemes.

2.1. The status of implementation of transmission projects under tariff based competitive bidding in Western Region are enclosed at A9nexure-2. The status of transmission schemes under implementation by POWERSRID in Western Region is enclosed at Annexure-3.

MoM- 39” SCMPSPWR held on 30.11.2015 2 SIC line at Pune 515) was fo~arded to MSETCL.for their comments. The load flow analysis showed that with ~~~ommi55i0n1ng of the above transmission

schemes, loading on 400KV Aur~ngabad (Walui) — Aurangabad (PS) D/C line

has reduced from 2200MW to 640MW and as such Aurangabad (Walul) — ~Aurangabad (PS) D,C line would not be constraint for import of power in Maharashtra from ISTS.

4.3. In the meeting, MSETCL agreed with the repo~ of the joint studies carriçd out by CEA and CTU. In yew of this, MSETCL propos& of shifting of Aurangabad

(Walu]) — PUne — PG 430KV D/C line from 400KV Aurangabad (Waluj) tb 755I400kV ~urangabad (PGCl~) was dropped.

5. AdditiOnal 400 kV feed to Goa 5.1. Director (PSP&PA-D~ CEA stated that in the 38rn SCM of WR establishment of 2X500 MVA, 400/200 k\’ substation at Xeldam and ts interconnection with Narendra (existing) 400 KV sub~tatiOn through 400 KV DiG (quad) lineas second 400 KV feed to Goa and its interconnection with Mapusa through 400 kV D/C (quad) line to talse care of any N-i-i ~0~tingencie5 involving outage of anyQne 400KV infeed to Soa was proposed. in the meeting POWERG RID had suggested the alternative of LILO of Narendra (new)-KoIhaP~ 400(PG) kV 0/C line (765 kV line to be initially charged at 400 KV level) at the proposed Xeidam 400 KV substation, as 765 KV operation of Naren~raKolhapu (PS) D/C line was not envisaged in near future and it would increase the ufihisatiOfl of Narendra Koihapur DIC lifle. it was decided that the alternative suggested by POWERGRID would be studied jointly by CEA and CTU and based on its merit the same would be put in the SCM agenda of Southern Region for their approval. ~~bsequently, FOWERSRID has sugge~Od Kolhapur (PS) — Colvale (Mapusa)

400KV (Quad/HTLS) 2~ 0/c line and Co~ale (Mapusa) - Xeldern (New) 400 KV

(QuadIHTLS) R’c line along with ~~~0onductoring of Sio!apur (PS) — KoihapUr 400KV DIC line (with HTLS conductor) as the second 400 lcV feedto Soa.

5.2. The following aIternativ~ for feeding Xeldam 400 KV substation was discussed in the meetingS Remarks rAi~emative Also proposed in 38Th SCM. ~~chnicalIy 1 better alternaUve for providing 2nd 400 KV STS feed to Goa s stem. Alternative sugge~,t~d byPQWE~3F~D usa — along with ~~~conductoriPg of Sholapur Xeldam 400 KV DIC quad line. HTLS(PS) —conductcr.Kolhapur 400KVThere DIGwouldlinea withsingle sourpe for feedflg Goa at 400KV level i.e., 400 kV Koiha ur PG~. KolhaPUr(PS) Xeldam Mapusa 400 kV DIG quad line — Xeldam 400 kV 0/C quad line and .ILO Ozone ckt at.Ma us~ ILO of one cKt. of Alternative 5~cqested b POWERG~0 in 4 MoM- 39~~ SCMPSPWR heldOn 30.11.2015 Narendra(NeW) the 38~~ SCM. Narendra(Ne* Kolhapu~ $1 Kolhapur(PG) 400 kV D/C (PS) is a765 kV 0/C fine which. would be line at Xeldam iriltially charged at 40C kV level and in future *hen this line would be operated at 765 kV voltage leyel the Xeldam 400 kV along with the, feeding lines also needs. to be u raded to 765kV level LILO of one ckt. of ~~rendra(exi5ting) — Narendra (New) 400 kV Alternative 6 or 7 eqUally good as Alternative land couid be irnpiement?d in D/C linQ at Xeldam LILO of one ckt. of Kaiga case of non~avaUabi1it~i of bay at Narendra Narendra(eXisting) 400 kV (existing) 400 kV substation. 0/C• line at Xeldam with LILO point at Narendra end. LILO of one ckt. oL Kaiga Narendra(existing) 400 kV 0/C line at Xeldam with LILO ointatKai aend

5.3. CTU stated that presently Southern Region is power deficit region and incase the second feed to Goa is given from Narendra (existing) 400 kV substation, the power flbw would be from WR to SR and then SR to Soa. This may reduce the ATC between WR and SR for exporting power to SR. ~urther, at Narendra (existing) 400 kV substation, space wasavailable for only 1 no. of 400KV bay, as

such, termination of N~rendra (existing) — Xeldam 400kV 0/C line at Narendra (existing) 400 kV substation would not be possibl!. Narendra (existing) Xetdam 400 kV D/C line would pass though.foiestareas of.Westem Chats. Inthepast also during forest clearance process of Kaiga-Nare’~)dra 4&D kV D/C line a lot of resistance from various actMsts andNS.Os was faced..The forest clearanCe was recommended by KarnatakaGO~mm~~~t in 2002 only aierjoirTt coflfirmat’Ofl from POWERGSID and CEA that nof’jrther traflsmiSsipn lineshall be. laid in the area. Therefore; laying of ~ 400 ky D/C Iine.may be: resisted by activists/NSOS and obtaining forest clearance and actual implementation of the line maybe delayed as in caseof Mysore- Kozikode 400 kV D/Cline.

5.4: Chief Enginper,Soa Electric~y Vepattment (GED) sated that Soa is already wel connected with’the Wester Region grid at 400 kV (through Kolhapur - Maputha 400 kV 0/C line~:and~22O kVljne$. Itis desirable. to have the secohd 400 kV connectivity from SR side. Fuithér, Qoa has got share of .100 MW in the

Ramagundam, STPS.which is lodafed in SR. Therefore,. Nareid~a (existing) - Xeldam 400 kYD/c quad line may be’~greed as the sebond:400 kVfeedio Goa.

He further sAd that the existing Supa — Ponda 110 kV 0/C: line at present is not in use and the lihe corridàr could beE relsased for implpmentatiofl of Na~endra

(existing) — Xeidam 400 kV D/C line in ~~eir4erritOry/state~ if required.

5.5. NLDC said that with’the impernentation .of the planned WE-SR interconnections, the existing issueof limited ATC betwe?d WF-SR corridors may. not bea limiting factor for export of’powerfrcm WRtoSR. He.said th.at Shclapur (P0)-KolbapUr

(MSET9L) - Kolhapur (PS) 400 kV D/C line is with~ Twin. Moose conductors. 5 MoM S9~~ SCMPSPWR hold on 30.1 1.2C15 Therefore, strengthening of this corridors in form ot re-conduotoring may also be taken up. CTU informed that in’ their proposal of providing second feed to C-oa

through Kolhapur (PS) - Mapusa 400 kV DIC quad Iine:(2~)the re-conductoring of Kolhapur-Sholapur 400 kV D/C’Iine’is included OEA clarified that connect vity at~Kolhapur (PS) 765 kV susbstation for Jaitapur nuclear project of MIS NPCIL has already been agreed in the past. Therefore, in futu re, with 765 kVoperation

of the Narendra (new) - Kolhapur D/C line Ønitially tDbe’charged at 4Q0 kV levei), further strengthening of this ‘section through 765 kV/ 400 kV imerconnedilons would be required. In this context the rb-conductchng of Sholapur-KblhaPUr 400 kV D/C line may not be required. However, in case of any constraints in this lie,, if required, may be studied separately.

5.6. Director (PSP&PA-l), CEA. said that the studies for future scenarios with :he plahned interconnection between WR and SR shows that there is power flow of abouti 0.00 .MW from Narendra(new) to Koihapur a from SR to WR.TherefCro, the apprehension that providing the second feed to Gpa through Narendra

(existing) — Xelda,m 400 kV p/C line would reduce the ATCITTO àvaiiaoie between WR and SR for export of’power to SR ~ unwarrahted. Also; mall the eight alterhatives proposed as. second feed to Soá, the 400 kV line: either to Mapusa or Xeldam has to cross the :Western Chats sectiop and as such forest, clearance issues would be there. In case of difficulty in geffiri~ RoW for implementation of Narendra (existihg)~Xeldam 40C kV D/C line,, the RoW c~ the existing Supa-Ponda 110 kV D/C line (presently the line is not in use) cout be

used. .

5.7. M~mber (Power System), ‘CEA said that amongst ile alternatives suggested, the alternative involving minimum forestclepiance ~robIems may be finalized as second 400 kV feed to Goa so.that the same co~d be taken up .n the SCM of SR for their approval.

5.8. The issue was further deliberated and it was noted that in all the alternatives crossing of We~tern Chats (forest area) was invor~ed, therefore :he ‘alternatWe which is best from power flow point of view could.be.finalizbd.’As per ttie studies

Alternative 1 (Narend@ (existing) -,- Xeldam 400 kV D/C quad line) is the best alternative but there is no space’available for 2 ncs. of 400kV bays at Narendra (existing) 400 kV substation. Therefore, Alternative 6 is finalized as second :feed to Goa. The following Transmission system strengthening was agreed for

providing second 400 kV feed to Soa: ‘ ,

(i) Establishme9t of 2X500 MVA, 4001220 kV substation at Xeldam. The interconnecton between the existing 220 k~I XeldaTh substation’ and the ‘proposed 400/220 kV Xeldam substation’ could be through bus extension or through 220 kV interconnecting lines, as ne case may be.

(N) LILO of one circuit of Nar,endra (existing) — Narendra (new) 400 kV D/C quad line at Xeldam. (iii) 400kV (Quad) connectivity between the new substation at Xeldem and Mapusa to take care of any N-i-i contingencY involving outage of any one 400kV infeed to Soa.

The above scheme shall be taken up approval ot the Standing Committee on Power System Planning of Southern Region.

MoM- 39Th SCMPSPWR held oq 30.11.2015 , 6 Dateth 10.07.201 ~

~—‘ £5

GOVERNMENT OF &OA OFFICE OF THE DY.CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS WILDLIFE & Ec0~TO~SM (NORTH) l~ LIFt 4TH FLOOR, JUNTA HOUSE, pANAJIGOA403~~l Ph. no. 0832- Faz no 0332 - w-22~4 E-maiL ~

To, The Dy. Consetvat0r 0fFo~st5, (Planning & Statistics), Q/o Principal Chief Conserlator of Forests, Forest DepaItm~t~ Panaji.

Sub: Request foi r~ute approval of 400 ~ XeIdeit Narendra TranSiniSSlOfl tine ft)r proce~i~ the wildlife clearance ~posal Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildiitè Sanc:U31Y to establish transmission system for “Additi0~ 400 kV feed to 3oa State Additio~ System for power evacuation from generation projects pooled a: aaigarh (Tamnar)P00l* Ref: Your endOr5e1~nt letter No:2-l 0~BM~aS FD~ 31jV1876 dt.2310Dj~O1 E

Sir, With reference to above cited subject, it is to irior~ that route proposed in proposal surveyed by Saterlite Power were inspected and subm~ is as below: T..1.~eProposalRouteNo~1: The proposed route no.’ passes throUgh a hilly tTack within a Bhag\v~ Maha~C~ Wildlife 5anctuaty~ Mollern having length 3.415km and do not crosses N4ahaveer National Park. The location of proposed route is far away from existifl& line. I

will cause minimum disturbance to wildlife and its habitat and even during, its annul maintefl~flce in çuture. The ~~thropogefl~c pressure and disturbance wiL be comparativ~~

1ess, as c~istance involved is much lesser in this route. Also forest area is rlot so ~rdulati1 and covered with less rocky patches. The alignment of electric line proposed is lair straight line hence it will ca~ ~ ance in this area, The route no.) enters in (3

on higher elevation and discards .//~it e~t~ret~~0a~ to lowei elevation in ftiir~y straight i~ 1’ ellmg ot trees will also he ~liz

- is..~ I 4~&ro 0~PV i~ ~~ \: ..~:.~._‘

-V 1~he Proposal Route No. 2: The proposed route no. 2 pathes through hilly region of Bhagx~an Mahavee Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park covering a total distance of 7.711km and 662mtr respectively. It passes thrcugh dense evergreen forest patch of Sanctuary & National Park It act as a ideal habita: for Gaurs with lush grasses growing on rocky escarpments Proposed alignment of electric line passes through a part of Nandran and Mollern for~s ‘beat where in direct sighting of wildlife is considerably more than route No.1 as per recen Wildlife Census. In camera trap survey, images of Sambar, Gaur, Sloth bear and Wild Pi~

etc were captured in these areas. Though camera trapping site is closer tD National highway and terrain is highly undulating with exposed rocky escarpment, if any disturbance cause in said area will result in accelerated erosion and loss. Wildjife habitat. The proposed line discards from higher level to lower level and has got lot of cun’es; up and down all along its path. In view ofiact mentioned above, it wIll be suitabe to consider a proposed for route

No. I ‘for laying of 400KW(eldem - Narendra Transmission line. However higher officials may decide in the matter. The Map and plan. of proposed alignment of electric transmission line in Original is forwarding herewith. Submitted for kind perusal and necessary action please.

Yours faithfully,

(Vikas V. Dy.~~s~aor o~ Forests Wildlife & Eco-To~àrism ~N) End: as above.

“Swachh Eharat, Swachh Gea” “Clean India, Goa”

~3SUf.~D UNDER F~

L.AE!2LE!Q~.~~J _____ I

in .1 Lineoverviewof 220/110kVline

GOA

Legends r1IIrIPllwrt_a~ 2 km\ Linelengthcrossingthrough Wildlifesanctuary S I Proposed400 kVGTTPLLILO 0.51km . BHAGWANMAHAVEERWILDLIFESANç~JA IC TransmissionLine Linelengthcrossingthrough Wildlifesanctuary ~ 22OkVD/CAmbevadi-Ponda TransmissionLine(Operational) KARNATAKA

110kv Supa- PondaTransmission Proposed400kVGTTPL I Line(Non-operational) LlLOTransmissionLine 6.14km melengthcrossingthrough dllfe+ NationalPark 110kVSupa-Ponda TransmissionLine

220kVAmbevadi-Ponda TransmissionLine MDLIEMNATIONALPARK EXISTING 220 KV TRANSMISSION LINE

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-~ SITE FOR PROPOSED 400 Ky AND 220 Ky SUB STATION AT SANGOD INDEX AP

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Loom OO~M STRT•F S RB di 4 XE KM. 133 K*WUL ENDOFPROPOSA KM.97.OOO~~ E 4 of NP on LNS c*J Ex.Km96.300 NAVDVAO( aa Comments offered by Central Empowered Committee during the site inspection hdd on 21.01.2021:

1. Width of the span of Overpass maybe increased for crossing of the arlirna?s. > Can be increased if desired. 2. Existing road width in protected area should Ice considered as per the records available with forest dept. Or notification of the Wildlife sanctuary & National Park. > Road width is not specified in the nofification. 3. Total length and area of the road which is un-utilised after construction of the road. ~ 4.350 Km. Length and area of 4 Ha. 4. Length of viaducts alongwith their starting and ending chainages.

~ Enclosed as Appendix - 5. Number of hairpin bends and sharp curves along the length of the alignmert. ~ 6 Hairpin Bends & 18 sharp curves 6. Feasibility of avoiding hill cutting by proposing viaduct/any other alternative. > We have reworked on it, Not possible. 7. Contour map to CEC. > Will be provided on completion. 8. Possibility of saving tree no. 350 which is having 3.85m girth by shifting the alignment slightly >~ It can be confirmed on resurvey and redesign of aUgnment. 9. Copy of presentation, brief note and google pla— to CEC. > Provided 10. Possibility of 4 lane viaduct contious till 86.000 .Srom 90.900 by avoiding the existing road utilisation. ~ We will rework on entire length as per IRC guidelines/standards on the recqmmendation. 11. Chainage wise details of alignment

> Enclosed as Appendix - Il a~3

Appendix -

Table — A : TWo lane elevated and Two, lane at grade prop, osal

0

Table— B: Four lane elevated proposal ______Design Chainage in 1Cm S.No Length in 1Cm Start chainage End chainage ______1 84.207 84.287 0.080 2 84.570 84.730 0.160 3 84.752 84.932 0.180 4 85.328 85.388 0.060 87590 88.000 0.410 6 88.200 88.320 0.120 7 88.420 88.480 0.060 8 88.880 90.900 2.020 Total Length 3.090

Table— C: Two lane on hill side and Two lane at grade proposal Design Chainage in Km 5.No I Length in Km Start chainage End chainage ______1 85.388 86.038 0.650 Total Length 0.650

Table— 0 Widenipg from 2 lane to 4 lane proposal Design Chainage in 1Cm Length in 1Cm Start chainage End chainage

91.850 94.550 2.700 -

— Total Length , 2.700 Appendix - II Chainage wise details of alignment proposed in Protected Area: Design Chainage in Km Length in Proposal S.No - Start chainage j End chainage Km Two Lane Vaduct + Two Lane existing 0.207 1 84.000 84.207 improvement 2 84.207 84.287 0.080 Four Lane Elevated V.iaduct Bridge

. Two Lane Viaduct + Two Lane existing 3 84.287 84.570 0.283 improvement 4 84.570 84.730 0.160 Four Lane Elevated Viaduct Bridge Two Lane Viaduct ÷ Two Lane existing 5 84.730 . 84.752 0.022 mDrovement 6 84.752 84.932 0.180 Four Lane Elevated Viaduct Bridge

Two Lane VTad.uct + Two Lane existing 7 84.932 85.328 0.396 improvement 8 85.328 85.388 0.060 Four Lane Eevated Viaduct Bridge

hill side + two lane existing road L 9 85.378 86.028 0.650 Two afle on inprovement Two Lane V~adtct + Two Lane existing , 10 86.028 87.590 1.552 , inprovement 11 87.590 88.000 0.410 Four Lane Bevated Viaduct Bridge

Two Lane Viaduct + Two Lane existing 12 88.000 88.200 0.200 improvement 13 88.200 88.320 0.120 Four Lane Elevated Viaduct Bridge

Two Lane Viaduct + Two Lane existing 14 88.320 88.420 0.100 improvement ~ 15 88.420 88.480 0.060 Four Lane E~e~ted Viaduct Bridge

Two Lane Viacuct + Two Lane existing ~ 16 88.480 88.880 0.400 I rnproverrient ~ 17 88.880 90,900 2.020 Four Lane Eevated Viaduct Bridge

Two Lane Viadud + T~o Lane ex~sting ~ 18 90.900 91.850 0.950 inprovement 19 91.850 94.550 I 2.700 I 2 lane to 4 ane in plain terrain Total Length in PA 10.550 Brief details of alignment proposed:

—~ j 4 lane viaduct (valley bide) 3.090 [-~ lane viaduct (valley side)+ 2 lane existing road improvement 4.110 2 lane (Hill side) + 2 lane existing road improvement 0.650 Widening from 2 lane to 4 lane in plain terrain 2.700 Total length of’proposed alignment in Protected area 10.550 74fr1C144&421((0 113.)

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Cl) T icalvi wofOv rpas I CENTRAL EMPOWERED COMMITTEE Constituted by the Hon ‘ble SUPREME COURT OF WDIA

F. No. 1-2GICEC!5C12021- Pt.65 Dated: 13.04.2021

To The Chief Secretary Government of Goa Secretariat, Porvoim, Bardez -403521

Sub: Application No. 1440 of 2020— Complaint filed by the Goa FoundatIon,

Sir,

19 continuation of the virtual meeting held on 12.4.2O2~ and after examining the 4 laning of NH-4A road proposed between chainage 84.133 to 97.000 and after considedng the long term management requirement of the Park so as to minimize animal road kills and man-animal conflict and also with a view to minimize the adverse impact of 4 laning of NH -4A, CEC suggests the following clanges in the proposed plan for four laning/improvement & the existing Goa/Karnataka bo-der — Mollem Goa Section of NH-4 A road.

i) the span of the animal overpass proposed at chainage 93.850 R be increased from the present 12 M to 50 M;

ii) the span of the animal underpass at 84.400 L be increased from the present 12 M to 100 M

iii) the proposed 4 lane road in plain terrain be cc-iverted to 4 lane elevated road (viaduct) between chainages 92.000 Kn and 93.500 Km and consequently the proposed animal underpasses at chainage 92.150 R are no longer required; and

iv) The length of the proposed 4 lane elevated rbac ~viaduct bridge) between chainage 84.207 and 84.287 be increased from 80 M to 200 M;

2nd Floor1 Chanakya Bhawan, Chanakys ~uri, New Delhi-21 Tel :011-21610612,21610613 Fax :24101925, EmaN : cecindia202~gmail.com, Webshe: w~nLcecindia.nic.in The increase in cost cannot be a cohsideration whi~e addressing the mitigation measures necessary for Management of the Wildlife Sanctuaries/National Park.

As discussed in the virtual meeting held on 12.4.202’, you are requested to offer your views on the above mentioned suggestions at the earlie&.

Yours faithfully.

Mem be Secret Copy to: D The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), Forest Department, Government of Goa, Panaji -403001 ii) The Chief Engineer, PWD, Work Division, XV (N-I), Govt. of Goa, Panda.

iii) The National Highway Authority of India, G-5&6, Sector — 10, Dwarka, New Delhi-110075 ____ 210

No GW&I. ~DICE (NH,R&B)/F &8Vs(2o21~22I I * Govcrmners of Goa Office of the Chief Engineer (NH, R&B) • Public W&b Dep~itment Altinho-Panaji-Goa

Dated: -~pf04/2021.

To, The Member Secretaty, Central Empowered Committee,

Constituted by the Hon’ble Supreme~ç~pji.of~~n.,cli& - -

2”~’ Floor, Chanakya Bhawan, . ,.

Chanakya Pun, New Delhi — 21.

Sub: - Application No. 1440 of 2020— Complaint filed by the Goa Foundation.

Ref:-Your letter No. l-26/CEC/SC/2021-pt65 dt: 13/04/202 1. Sir,

The changes suggested in the proposal of four laning/improvement of the existing

GoafKarnataka border — Mollem Goa section of NH — 4 A road have been incorporated and are detailed as under:

~ Suggestion . Compliance No, (i) The span of the Animal Overpass proposed The span of Animal Overpass at km. at chainage 93.850 R be increased from the. 93/850 has been increased from 12 present 12 M to 5DM; mts. to 50 mts.

(ii) The span of the Anii~al Underpass at The span of Animal Underpass at km. 84.400 L be increased from the present 12 84/400 has been increased from 12 M to 100 M; mts. to 100 mts. The AUP will now comprise of 3 sections 30 m. x 5.00 m.,40m.x5.Oomand3om xS.00 m. placed adjacent to each other in this sequence as single span of 100 mts is technically not a viable option In any case the stretch from km. 84/207 to ‘cm 84/570 is now in ele~ated section which enconpasses the AUP at km. 84/400. As such, a much larger cross over passage to the animals will be available. 211

i~i ill I he proposed 4 lane roJjcji&in terrain- he— I r converted to 4 lane elevated road (vhithlct) from km. 91/650 i.e. 150 ruts. before between chuinages 92.000 km and 93:500 suggested km. 92/000 and ended at km and consequently the proposed annual km. 931350 hstead of’ km. 93/500, undorpasses at chaInage 92. 150 R are nO thus ~aintaifliflg the length of longer requinxt and elevated stretch at 1,5 km. The shifting has been effected as at km. 93/850 there is an AOP meaning the road will pasS at a level below the existing ground level. The difference of levels between the end point of elevated section and start of slope for road under AOP will be too large to contain the gradient within ~pçrmissib1e iimits henc~ the ~ ?T’T tJ~ngth oF& propos~ãJ~teW The length of 4 lane elevated road road (viaduct bridge) between chainage (viaduct) has been increased from 80 84.207 and 84.287 be increased from 80 m mts. to 363 ruts. i.e. from km. 34/207 to 200 M to km. 84/5 70 wherein this AUP at km. 84/400 is included.

The google imageries of the earlier proposal and the one with suggestions incorporated are enclosed herewith for ready reference.

In view of’ this compliances, we would request you to kindly approve the proposal of the four laning of NH 748 (earlier 4 A) from Anmod Ghat to Mollem in Goa.

Yours f ‘thfully,

(D.C. Gupta) End: As above Chief Engineer (NH, R&B) P.W.D.

Copy to: 1. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Forest Department, Government of Goa, Panaji —403001. 2. The Principal Chief Engineer, P.W.D., Altinho. Panaji-Goa. 3. The Chief Engineer (CE -~.R 0), Office of the Regional Officer, Maharashtra & Goa, Room No. 508 & 509, Konkan Bhavan, ~ Floor, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai —400 614.

4. The Superintending Engineer, CO. IX (NH), P.W.D., Altinho. Panaji — Goa. \S.—?he Executive Engineer W.D. XV (NH), Public Works Department, Ponda- Goa. 6. Concerned file. 7. Guard file.