A crucial but controversial road project connecting two of India's premier tiger reserves has received a fresh lease of life after a prolonged legal and administrative stalemate. The 11.5-kilometre Laldhang-Chillarkhal road, which includes an ecologically sensitive stretch, has secured renewed approval from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
A Project Mired in Legal Challenges
The project's journey has been anything but smooth. It was first flagged in 2019 after the Supreme Court of India halted its construction. The apex court discovered that the Uttarakhand state government was carrying out work without the mandatory clearances from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the NBWL. The court observed that construction through the corridor violated provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
Following the court's directive, the state was ordered to secure all statutory approvals before proceeding. This led to years of litigation and advocacy by environmental lawyers and social organisations, during which the project's fate remained uncertain.
The Ecological Heart of the Debate
The core of the controversy lies in a specific 4.5-kilometre stretch from Chamaria bend to Siggadi Sot. This section is not just any road; it is the only functional wildlife corridor linking the Corbett Tiger Reserve with the Rajaji Tiger Reserve. This corridor is vital for the genetic exchange and free movement of a host of wildlife species, including tigers, elephants, leopards, and deer.
While the NBWL had earlier granted approval with certain mitigation conditions, the state government had sought relaxations on these conditions, which were declined. The project was subsequently placed before various statutory bodies for review.
Fresh Approval and Future Steps
The tide turned in August last year when the National Board for Wildlife granted fresh permission for the project. This critical update was officially shared during the 22nd meeting of the Uttarakhand State Board for Wildlife held on a recent Tuesday.
Ranjan Mishra, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and head of the state forest force, confirmed the development. "The national wildlife board gave permission for the project in Aug. We filed a fresh affidavit before SC and now we are waiting for a date of hearing," Mishra stated. This indicates the state government is now set to pursue the matter before the Supreme Court once again to get the final green light.
The project has sparked divided opinions. Some residents of Pauri district support it, arguing it will drastically reduce travel time between Kotdwar and Haridwar from 45 minutes via Uttar Pradesh to roughly 15 minutes. Conversely, nature and wildlife conservationists remain deeply concerned. They warn that the road could severely disrupt wildlife movement and compromise the sanctity of a critical habitat, potentially leading to increased animal-human conflicts and fragmenting a crucial ecological landscape.
The future of the Laldhang-Chillarkhal road now hinges on the upcoming Supreme Court hearing, where the new NBWL approval will be a key piece of evidence for the state government's case.
