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Tiger Corridor Approved Despite Wildlife Concerns
5 Aug
Summary
- Project in Panna-Ranipur tiger corridor received clearance.
- Concerns raised over wildlife movement and corridor fragmentation.
- Mitigation measures include wildlife overpasses and relocation.
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) has recommended clearance for the 1,800 MW Panari pumped storage hydropower project. The project requires 411.48 hectares of forest land situated in the vital Panna-Ranipur tiger corridor. This corridor connects the Panna Tiger Reserve with the Ranipur Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh.
Although a site inspection team, including officials from the Environment Ministry and NTCA, recommended clearance with riders, a Madhya Pradesh Forest Department officer highlighted significant concerns. The officer noted the area's continuous use by tigers, leopards, and bears, and stated the project was likely to block the corridor. Increased wildlife activity due to the Ken-Betwa river-linking project was also mentioned, with no alternative dispersal routes.
Despite these reservations, the SC-NBWL's July 9, 2026, meeting minutes show clearance was granted. Conditions include building three 30-meter-wide wildlife overpasses across the Baghain River and relocating muck-dumping and job facility areas away from the tiger corridor where feasible, aiming to preserve the integrity of wildlife movement.
