Bhubaneswar: The 10th meeting of the Standing Committee of the State Wildlife Board was held this afternoon at the Conference Hall of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department at Kharavela Bhawan. The meeting, presided over by Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia, Minister of Forest, Environment and Climate Change and Chairman of the Standing Committee, focused on balancing conservation efforts with developmental initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Singkhuntia emphasized that the Forest Department would not hinder steps taken for public welfare and development. The meeting saw participation from key officials, including Bhatli MLA Irashis Acharya, Additional Chief Secretary of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department Satyabrat Sahu, Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Projects) Dr. Ajit Kumar Patnaik, Former Professor of College of Veterinary Science, OUAT Dr. Niranjan Sahu, Former Honorary Wildlife Warden of Angul Aditya Charan Panda, Scheduled Tribes Representative Satyanarayan Majhi, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief of Forest Force Suresh Pant, Additional Director General of Police (Crime Branch) Cuttack, and representatives from the Wildlife Institute of India and the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India.
During the meeting, a review of the previous proposals approved in the ninth meeting held on December 28, 2023, was conducted. Four major proposals had been sent to the National Wildlife Board (NBWL) and subsequently approved. These included the installation of mobile towers under the 4G Saturation Project in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts, the development of a Ro-Pax Jetty at Talchua in Kendrapara, and the laying of optical fiber cable through Karlapat Sanctuary.
The 10th meeting also considered 14 new proposals related to forest and non-forest land diversions for essential infrastructure projects, including optical fiber cable laying, mobile tower installations, and pipeline projects in various wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves, such as Satkosia, Hadgarh, Sunabeda, and Chandaka Dampara. These proposals, aimed at enhancing digital connectivity, water supply, and infrastructure development in remote areas, were cleared by the State Wildlife Board and will now be forwarded to the National Board for Wildlife for final approval.
The Odisha government remains committed to a balanced approach, ensuring that development projects progress while maintaining ecological sustainability. The meeting reaffirmed the state’s dedication to wildlife conservation and responsible infrastructure development, fostering a harmonious coexistence between nature and progress.
