GUWAHATI: An environmentalist and RTI activist from Assam, has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention in the ongoing construction activities near animal corridors along National Highway (NH)-37, adjacent to Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR).
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Choudhury reportedly highlighted alleged violations of conditions set by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by Prime Minister Modi himself.
The NBWL had earlier stipulated strict guidelines for the widening and improvement of the highway from Kaliabor to Numaligarh, spanning 85.675 km.
Choudhury, in his letter, accused the Assam government of disregarding NBWL’s directives, particularly during the sensitive period between June and September when animal corridors are most active due to monsoon and flooding.
“Construction in the Haldhibari wildlife corridor has commenced in June 2024, contrary to NBWL’s specific instructions,” he stated in his letter, as reported by a national daily.
Furthermore, Choudhury also criticised the Public Works Department (National Highway) of Assam for allegedly converting roads in the Haldhibari Corridor from metal-based to reinforced cement concrete (RCC), potentially worsening environmental impacts.
Highlighting previous environmental concerns, Choudhury pointed out the disappearance of speed-sensing cameras equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Radar at critical points along the highway.
This absence, he claimed, has transformed corridors such as Hatidandi/Kanchanjuri into hazardous zones for wildlife due to speeding vehicles.
Despite prior complaints to the Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Choudhury lamented the lack of response and urged Prime Minister Modi, as Chairperson of NBWL, to issue immediate directives to halt construction activities in the Haldhibari wildlife corridor.
He also called for punitive action against responsible officials for violating NBWL’s conditions.
The issue has sparked widespread concern among environmentalists and wildlife advocates, who fear irreversible damage to the natural habitats and corridors crucial for the survival of endangered species in the Kaziranga ecosystem.
Efforts to reach Assam government officials for comment on these allegations were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
