Wider highway will snuff out Karnala’s bird sanctuary

Karnala bird sanctuary, some 60 km south-west of Mumbai, is on verge of being destroyed after the state wildlife board approved widening of national highway 17.

The board, which met after one and a half years on Friday, passed a resolution despite strong objection from some members.

“I opposed the resolution to widen the Mumbai-Goa highway. It will destroy the tiny haven for birds. The government should explore an alternative,” said Harshawardhan Dhanvate, a board member. Member Dr Dilip Yardi also opposed the proposal.

The sanctuary, spread over 12 sq km, is already under pressure with illegal grazing and encroachments.

JP Dange, additional chief secretary (revenue and forest), claimed the widening was necessary.

Sources said it will not be easy for approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority, which is opposing a similar proposal to widen national highway 6 that cuts through Pench tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh.”

The state forest department also objected to the proposal.

Naturalist Sunjoy Monga said one of the greatest threats to the last surviving protected areas and their edges is the development onslaught that continues. “The sad part is that the development lobby often does not even try to make an attempt to look at alternatives,” he said.

Forest minister Babanrao Pachpute said, “There is no alternative. However, we will study the effects of road widening on the sanctuary.”