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MINUTES oF THE 1sr MEETTNG oF THE xxlr srATE BoARD FoR wILDLtFE HELD AT 10.30 AM oN 17" MAy 2021 THRouGH vtrRUAL MoDE

The 1't meeting of the 23'd State Board for Wildlife was held on 17th May ZOZtthrough

virtual mode under the chairmanship of Shri Pema Khandu, Hon'ble and Chairman of State Board for Wildlife.

2. At the very outset, Shri G. Kumar PCCF (WL & BD) and Member Secretary SBWL welcomed

Shri Pema Khandu, Hon'ble Chief Minister, who is also the Chairman of the

State Board foi'Wildlife, Shri Mama Natung, Hon'ble Minister for Environment & Forests and

also the Vice-chairman of the SBWL along with other members of the State Board for Wildlife present in the meeting.

3. Shri Mama Natung, Hon'ble Minister (Environment & Forests) made the opening remarks

with briefing on the agenda items. He emphasized on the conservation of rich biodiversity of

the State while considering the developmental activities like widening of existing highways,

construction of new roads, laying of transmission lines etc. in the most sustainable way. He also requested members of the newly constituted board to give their suggestions and inputs in the ,

conservation of wildlife of the State. The Hon'ble minister suggested ideas like creation of.eco-.

park at Doimara in West Kameng for ecotourism promotion in the region and thereby involving

people's participation in the natural resource management. Considering the delay in fund

release for payment of wages of the frontline staff posted in Protected Areas, the Hon'ble

Minister requested the Hon'ble Chief Minister for sanction of funds to be used as a revolving fund during the time of delay in fund release frgm the government.

Action: PCCF (P& Dl/Cr (planning)

4. The Member Secretary of the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) initiated the agenda wise discussion and following decisions were taken:

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XXll State Board for Wildlife Agenda 1: Confirmation of the minutes of 3'dmeeting of No comments were Minutes of meeting of last SBWL was circulated to all members' of the meeting' received from the members, therefore SBWL confirmed minutes

PA/ESz/Wildlife Agenda 2: project proposals seeking Wildlife Clearance falling within Corridors from SBWL Ha from ltanagar WLS for (r) Proposal for wildlife ctearance for diversion of 8'38 chandranagar widening of existing 2 lane road on NH 415 to four lane from (ltanagar PHQ) to Papu Nalah in Papum Pare District, AP' ; received from the The proposal for the widening of the proposed road has been Pradesh' The chief Engineer (Highways), western Zone, Government of Arunachal and is the lifeline of the single lane road is already in existqnce since early 1970 widening aspects of people of ltanagar. Members had a detailed discussion on the passing through the the present road which is part of the ongoing 4-lane Highway the thickly populated twin city of ltanagar & Naharlagun. The road passes through and is much needed for township of ltanagar, the capital city of Arunachal Pradesh the presence of wildlife the denizens of the city. As located in the human habitation, of the proposal to the is negligible. Therefore the Board agreed for submission

National Board for wildlife clearance'

Action: PCCF (WL & BD)

of (ll) proposal for wildlife clearance for diversion for Forest land for construction Km) by NHIDCL in Dibang valley Dembuen- Bruni Road 35.30 Xm (O.OO Km to 36.30 District AP. construction of proposed The members of the boaid had a discussion on the of 0'00 to 5'6 km i'e' 5'6 Km falls road of 36.30 Km length out of which, the stretch Km to 36'30 Km i'e' 30'70 Km stretch outside Dibang wildlife sanctuary and from 5.6 road is located in the eastern falls under Dibang WLS. The proposed Dembuen-Bruni is important for patrolling part of Arunachal Pradesh near lndo-china border and personnel to the lndo china border area and movement of ITBP and other defense strategic point of view' The wildlife and therefore is important from security & 2 M mitigation plan has been submitted by the User Agency which has been prepared in consultation with the Divisional Forest officer of Anini Social Forest Division. The plan has been approved by the Chief Wildlife Warden and therefore the board has agreed to submit the proposal to the NBWL for wildlife clearance.

Action: PCCF (WL & BD) (lll) Proposal for diversion of 2.58 Ha forest tand for construction of Nechiphu Tunnel with approach road for fog prone g1.g4o stretch from km to km g7.o4oof BCT road under West Kameng district in Arunachat pradesh.

The proposal for construction of 450 m long Nechipu Tunnel was received from the officer Commanding, 91 RCC; GREF. Members of the board had a discussion on the construction Nechiphu of Tunnel with approach road for fog prone stretch from km 8L'840 km to 87,040 of BCT road under West Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh which attracts diversion 2.6g ha forest land. The proposed Tunnel falls on the outer boundary of Sessa orchid sanctuary in west Kameng District' since the objective is to bypass the fog prone str.etch, this is the only and best viable option available. Present proposal is to reduce the road length and avoid fog prone stretch of the road. The Nechiphu Tunnel with approach road to bypass fog prone stretch of BCT road will also facilitate defense requirement of mobility to frontier areas in western Arunachal pradesh. After thorough deliberations, the SBWL recommended for submission of the proposal to NBWL for wildlife clearance subject to strict implementation of wildlife mitigation plan approved by the CWLW.

Action: PCCF (WL & BD) (lV) Proposat for wildlife clearance of 33 KV Transmission Line from Miao to Diyun. The proposal for wildlife clearance for establishment of 33 KV transmission line from Miao to Diyum has been received from the Department of power, Government of Arunachal Pradesh which will pass through the buffer zone of Namdapha Tiger Reserve. The members had a discussion on the proposed transmission line passing through buffer zone of Namdapha Tiger Reserve.

3 O1d The proposed Miao-Diyun Transmission'Line will pass through 26.85 Ha in the buffer

zone of Namdapha TR. The project lies at a distance of 4.30 km from the Core/Critical

tiger habitat of Namdapha TR. The portion of transmission li.ne that passes through the

buffer area comprises of Tibetan Refugee Camp and Kachang Village having cultivation

area and human habitation devoid of foiest vegetation as reported by the Field Director

Namdapha TR and thus it is the best and viable option available. lt is an ambitious project of the Government of lndia aimed at augmenting the power transmission & distribution in the state without any negative impact on the Protected Area. A wildlife

mitigatiorl plan submitted by the Field Director has been approved by the Chief Wildlife Warden.'

After thorough deliberations, the SBWL recommended for submission of the proposal to NBWL for wildlife clearance subject to strict implementation of wildlife mitigation plan approved by the CWLW,

Action: PCCF (WL & BD)

(V) Proposal for wlldlife clearance of 33 KV Transmission Line from Miao to Kharsang.

The proposal for wildlife clearance for establishment of 33 KV transmission line from Miao to Diyum has been received from the Department of power, Government

of Arunachal Pradesh which will pass through the buffer zone of Namdapha Tiger

Reserve. The proposed transmission line passes through buffer zone of Namdapha

Tiger Reserve between Tibetan refugee camp and Kachang village having degraded

forest and cultivation area. The portibn of proposed transmission line at the buffer

zone is at a distance of more than 10 (ten) Km from the boundary of the Namdapha

TR. lt is an ambitious project of'the Government of lndia aimed at augmenting the

power transmission & distribution in the state without any negative impact on the

Protected Area. Field Director of Namdapha TR has submitted wildlife mitigation plan and has been approved by the Chief Wildlife Warden. The Board has agreed for clearance and onward submission to the NBWL for wildlife clearance.

Action: PCCF (WL & BD) M 4 I

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(VI) proposal for Wildlife Clearance for Establishment of New Border Outposts (BoP) at Tapola, Amaha, Kapuda, Lama, Kangri, Andrathang, Balchida, Phuphu and TathiinDibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh.

Proposal for establishment of 9 Border Outposts f,as Oeen submitted by the Commandant of 9thBn, (ITBP) Foi'ce C/o 99 APO Pin- 934409 at Tapola, Amaha,

Kapuda, Lama, Kangri, Andrathang, Balchida, Phuphu and Tathi with an area of 1.5

Hafor eachpost. The posts are located 5-11 Km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC)

in Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh.The establishment of new BOPs will

reduce the border distance and will make defense patrols easy and frequent and will

strengthen the defense mechanism of the country. Wildlife Preservation Plan for the

area has been received and the Chief Wildlife Warden has given his approval. The proposal is recommended by the SBWL considering its location from strategic point

of view on the LAC between lndia and China with a condition to strictly implement

the wildlife mitigation plan approved by the CWLW.

Action: PCCF (WL & BD)

Agenda 3. Agenda items received from SBWL members.

(l) Shri Rinchin Thongdok, Nature Friendship Society, Rupa Shri Rinchin Thongdok raised the issue of staff shortage in Protected Areas of

Arunachal Pradesh citing the example of Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary. He also suggested

installation of close circuit cameras in the entry points of all protected areas for better monitoring of the entries. He further expressed his concern over illegal settlement of puroiks in the Doimara Reserve Forest near Tippi who are believed to be indulging in

illegal logging and hunting.

PCCF & Principal Secretary, Shri R.K. Singh informed that necessary procedure for filling up 200 posts of forest guards have been completed and as when the recruitment is done by the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board, staff will be posted as per

vacancies.

Action: PCCF (WL & BD) & PCCF (R & E) d 5 (ll) Shri Kamal Medhi, WWF-tndia

shri Kamal Medhi, landscape coordinator of western Arunachal Landscape under wwF-lndia highlighted .orrrnity conservation models in Arunachal pradesh and suggested creation of a policy document for community-based conservation regime in the state Arunachal of Pradesh' He also suggested Trans-boundary conservation collaborations with Bhutan for better conservation of the biological and cultural diversity of the region.

PCCF & Principal secretary, shri R.K. singh suggested creation of community Reserves in consult'ation with the communities. This will ensure funding from the central government.

Action: PCCF (WL & BD)

(lll) Shri NiriChongroju, Nafra, West Kameng

shri Niri chongroju raised the issue of staff shortage in Eaglenest wildlife sanctuary. He also expressed his concern on the illegal timber operation in Doimara Reserve Forest by Bodo community of using river for transportation.

PCCF & Principal Secretary, Shri R,K. Singh informed that l-8 contractual staff have been posted under Khellong Forest Division and necessary actions are being taken by the DFo. No illegalities have been reported from Doimara area ever since the posting of these staff.

Action: PCCF (A&V) & PCCF (R & E)

(lV)Dr. GopiG.V. Wildlife tnstitute of tndia, Dehradun

Dr. Gopi G.V. who represented the Director, Wildlife lnstitute of tndia, Dehradun appreciated the recent guidelines for grant of research permission for scientific research in protected and other forest areas in the state of Arunachal pradesh brought out by the Department of Environment and Forests, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. According to him, the new guideline is comprehensive and gives 6

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clarity to the researchers and will go a long way in the conservation of wildlife in the State through research activities.

5' ln his'closing rematk, the Hon'ble cM cum chairman of the SBWL'highlighted that the department is actively working under the leadership of the Hon,ble Minister (E & F) and Hon'ble a'dvisor' The Hon'ble chairman requested [he board members to send in their suggestions regarding any wildlife conservation matter directly to the pcCF who can take it up with the Hon'ble Minister and cM. He also appreciated the community cgnservation proposal submltted by shri Kamal Medhi of wwF. He said the matter of : trans-boundary conservation activities will be taken up in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs

Action: PCCF (WL & BD) & PCCF (R & E)

The meeting ended with Vote of Thanks to the chair. M (G. Ku"mar) PCCF (WL & BD)cum MS (SBWL)

\ tJ12we- No. cwL/D/21(33)08-09/ 2t /o7l _ --l lel Dated May,2O2l Copy to

7. PPS to the Hon'ble chief Minister, Government of Arunachal pradesh. 2. PS to the Hon'ble Minister (E&F), Govt. of Arunachal pradesh. 3' Shri Kumsisidisow, Hon'ble MLA, 6thThrizino-Buragaon (ST)Assembly Constituency. 4. Shri Wanglam Sawin, Hon'ble MLA 5sth Khonsa East (ST) Assembly Constituency. 5. shriJikkeTako, Hon'ble MLA 20th Tali (sr) Assembly constituency. 6. PS to the PCCF (HoFF) &prl. secy (E & F) Govt, of Arunachal pradesh. 7. shri Rinchin Thongdok, Nature Friendship society, Rupa, w/Kameng. Shri Kamal 8' Medhi, Sr. Co-ordinator, Western Arunachal Landscape programme, WWF, lndia, Tezpur. 9, Shrt Suntl Kyarong, Wildlife Trust of tndta, 10. Shri Niri Chongroju, Nafra, West Kameng District.

7 ,M I 11. Shri Tadar Akap, Nirjuli Arunaclfal pradesh, 12. Shri Mialisidisow, Nature and Native Wildlife Protection Society, Bhalukpong, W/Kameng, 13. Shri Kasung Cheda, Arunachal pradesh. 14. Shri Suraj Tayem, ltanagar Arunachal pradesh. 15. Director, wildlife lnstitute of lndia, p.o. New Forest, Dehradun. 16. Officer in charge, Botanical Survey of lndia, ltanagar. 17. Officer in charge, Zoological Survey of lndia, ltanagar. 18. PCCF & CWLW, Govt. of Arunachal pradesh.

Copy for necessary action to: 1, ADG (WL)& Member Secretary Standing Committee of NBWL, MoEF & CC Got, tndira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jor Bagh Road, New -3. 2. rhe picr (R&E), pccF (A&v), ttanagar. 3. The CCF, EAC Tezu, SAC Deomali, CAC pasighat, WAC Banderdewa. 4. The Field Director, Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Miao, 5. The DFO, ltanagar WLS, Anini SFD, Khellong FD. ,"Mr, PCCF (WL & BD) cum MS (SBWL)

List of participants:

1. Shri Pema Khandu, Hon'ble Chief Minister, Government of Arunachal Pradesh 2. Shri Mama Natung, Hon'ble Minister (E&F), Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh 3. Shri R. K. Singh, lFS, PCCF (HoEF) & Prl.Secy, E & F, Govt. o Arunachal Pradesh 4. Shri G. Kumar, lFS, PCCF & CWLW, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh 5. Shri Millo Tasser, lFS, DCF (BR & ET) 6. Shri Rinchin Thongdok, Naturg Friendship Society, Rupa, W/Kameng 7. Shri Kamal Medhi, Sr. Co-ordinator, Western Arunachal Landscape Programme, WWF, lndia, Tezpur 8. Shri Sunil Kyarong, Wildlife Trust of lndia 9, Shri Niri Chongroju, Nafra, West Kameng District 10. Shri Tadar Akap, Nirjuli Arunachal Pradesh 1L. Shri Miali Sidisow, Nature and Native Wildlife Protection Society, Bhalukpong, W/Kameng 12. Shri Suraj Tayem, ltanagar Arunachal Pradesh 13. Dr. GopiG. V, Wildlife lnstitute of lndia, P.O. New Forest, Dehradun 14. llr. \/, K. Rawat, Botanical Survey of lndia ltanagar 15, Dr. Narendra Sharma, Zoologicalsurvey of lndia, ltanagar 15. Dr. B. B. Bhatt, Res/Asst. O/o pCCF (WL & BD), ltanagar

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PART - V (To be completed by the Department In-charge of Forestry and Wildlife in consultation with the state Board for wildlife within 30 days of the receipt of pART-IV)

1 Date of receipt of PART - II, III and 27.04.2021 IV by the Department

2 Do you agree with the information Yes and recommendations of the Chief Wildlife Warden

a J If not, please provide the reasons NA

4 Did you provide PART - II, III and Yes IV to the members of the State Board for Wildlife?

5 Attach copy of the opinion of the Copy of minutes of meeting of State Board for Wildlife SBWL attached

6 Give detai ls of the recommendations Recommended of the State Government

Signed by:

The pal Secretary (E & F) Name: R.K. Singh, IFS State: Arunachal Pradesh. Principal Secretary (Environmcnt &. Forests) Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Iunagar.