Odisha’s Forest Dept committed to supporting people’s welfare and development

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia has reaffirmed the Forest Department’s support for initiatives aimed at the welfare and development of the people. He said at the meeting of the Standing Committee of the State Wildlife Board on Friday that the Forest Department will never be a hindrance while taking steps for the welfare and development of the people.

During the meeting, a review of several critical proposals and projects related to environmental conservation and development took place. These included a range of initiatives that aim to balance wildlife protection with infrastructure and technological development. One key agenda discussed was the installation of 34 mobile towers by BSNL as part of the 4G Saturation Project under the Government of India’s initiative in Mayurbhanj District, which lies within the buffer zone of Similipal Tiger Reserve. In the previous meeting of the Standing Committee held on December 28, 2023, this project was recommended to the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). After a site visit by the NTCA Team, 12 towers were approved.

Other notable proposals presented at the meeting included the installation of mobile towers in Keonjhar District, particularly in Hadgarh Sanctuary, which also received approval from the NBWL. Additionally, the development of a Ro-Pax Jetty and related infrastructure at Talchua in Kendrapara District was cleared for onward transmission to the NBWL. The meeting also addressed multiple infrastructure projects, such as the laying of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) through Karlapat Sanctuary, the installation of mobile towers under the 4G Saturation Project in various villages within Sunabeda Sanctuary, and the construction of a community vocational training center in Sunabeda Sanctuary, all of which received favourable recommendations.

A series of proposals related to forest and non-forest land diversion for infrastructure projects were also discussed. These included the laying of optical fibre cables and water pipelines through protected areas such as Satkosia Tiger Reserve, as well as mobile tower installations in various blocks of Nayagarh and Keonjhar districts.
The committee cleared 14 proposals for further consideration by the National Board for Wildlife. These proposals aim to strike a balance between technological advancements, infrastructure development, and environmental conservation. They will now proceed to the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife for approval and Wildlife Clearance.