NHAI seeks diversion of forest land in Bandipur Tiger Reserve

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has sought clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to permit them to divert nearly 24 acres of Bandipur Tiger Reserve land to expand the existing highway NH-181 (earlier called NH-67) from Melukamanahalli to Kekkanahalla for a distance of 13.2 km.

Two highways pass through Bandipur Tiger Reserve (NH-181 and NH-766) and the one proposed to be widened mostly caters to tourists traveling to Ooty and other areas.

Wildlife activist Guruprasad Timmapur stated that the proposed expansion of the highway falls under category ‘A’ project as per the Environment Impact Assessment Notification of 2006 as it falls within the national park.