Forest dept notice to CST over man-animal conflict



CHANDRAPUR: The Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS) and Chandrapur Ferro-alloy Plant (CFP), the erstwhile Maharashtra Elektrosmelt Ltd, here are under the scanner of forest department for failing to implement measures for mitigating man-animal conflict in their premises. Chandrapur forest division has given 15-day ultimatum to undertake the mitigation measures. It has threatened to write to the union ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) to revoke their environmental clearances in case of further non-compliance.

Both CSTPS and CFP are surrounded by dense forest and have thick vegetation even inside their premises. Intrusion of wild animals, even top carnivores, has been reported from the factory premises. In a warning letter issued to both plants, DFO ND Choudhari has pointed out that construction of plant and its residential colony have interrupted wildlife corridors leading to man-animal conflict in the area. Both the industries are highly polluting and their emission is adversely affecting wildlife in and around the plant premises.

Inspection by forest officials has revealed that residential colonies of these plants dump their waste in open, which attracts wild herbivores. Both company managements have also failed to remove stray dogs that draw carnivores into residential areas.

Similarly, these industries do not carry out night patrolling in their premises and have failed to appoint a technical person to manage the forest in their premises in silviculture manner, as suggested by forest department, Choudhari said.

"Man-animal conflict is at its height in the fringe forests around Chandrapur. Intrusion of leopards and even tigers has been reported in the forest inside the industrial premises. While Ordnance Factory (OF), Chanda and WCL have successfully followed our guidelines to mitigate conflict, CSTPS and CFP have failed to comply," Choudhari told TOI.

He said that the responsibility to manage the forest inside the factory and man-animal conflict there lies with the company management. Forest department is ready to provide necessary technical support, but they need to follow instructions. "If they fail to undertake mitigation measure, we will be forced to write to MoEF seeking revocation of environment clearance given to these industries," Choudhari warned.

The forest department has suggested seven measures, including night patrolling, solar fencing of forest cover, installation of solar street lights and curbing stray dogs in factory premises. Plant managements have been instructed to install covered dustbins in residential areas and remove garbage on daily basis. Both the companies have been asked to carry out water conservation work in the forested patches to make water available for wild animals. They have been asked to seek help of expert NGO for research and monitoring of man-animal conflict in their premises.

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