HC seeks Govt reply on Wildlife sanctuary

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 13: The Company entrusted with the laying of Transmission Line through Hirpora Wildlife sanctuary in Shopian district of South Kashmir manually to prevent damage to flora and fauna  has violated the norms forcing High Court to seek reply from Union and State Governments on conservation of Wildlife sanctuary.
The company was supposed to lay the power line and erect towers in the Wildlife sanctuary on the condition that the work should be done manually so as to avoid damage to the flora and fauna of the area but it has used heavy machinery for the purpose.
The Division Bench of Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and Justice M K Hanjura directed the Ministry of Power, Chief Secretary of State, Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu, Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Development Commissioner Power, Forest authorities and others for filing of response to the PIL by next date.
Petitioner prayed for immediate steps for the conservation and preservation of Hirpora Sanctuary in district Shopian from illegal and unlawful blasting and heavy machinery being carried out by Sterlite Power Grid Ltd Channi Himmat, Chief Operating Officer Uttar Pradesh and Project Director Vinay Constructions Channi Himmat Jammu for laying 400 KV transmission line from Samba to Amargarh under NRSSS project.
It is also submitted that investigation be carried in the matter and stern action be taken against the contractors engaged in laying of 400 KV transmission line through Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary in violation of Apex Court directions.
Petitioner besides other relief sought that an amount of Rs 2.46 crore from the company as levied by the committee constituted for the purpose under the chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir.
The Indian Company, Sterlite Power, and its contractors, Tata Projects, have been assigned the project for laying 400KV D/C Samba- Amargarh line, which is supposed to provide power supply in Akhnoor, Rajouri, Poonch and Shopian.
The company was supposed to lay the power line and erect towers in the Wildlife sanctuary on the condition that the work should be done manually so as to avoid damaging flora and fauna of the area.
The Company had to pay a penalty of Rs 2.47 crores on the estimation done by a committee constituted by Government, but has not paid any fine and is “continuing blasting and has erected towers with the help of heavy machines.”
In the petition, it is also pleaded that the preservation of animal species including the Himalayan Brown Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Musk Deer, Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Himalayan Palm Civet and around 50 individuals of the critically endangered Pir Panjal Markhor, besides 130 bird species, are found in the sanctuary.
The project it is mentioned here is being carried out under the supervision of Ministry of Power, Union of India.