Arunachal Pradesh stops survey work on road through Pakke Tiger Reserve

The decision to temporarily halt all survey work on the project was taken after a meeting Arunachal Pradesh CM Khandu had with the state’s chief secretary and commissioner of the public works department (PWD).

Updated on: Mar 17, 2020, 08:32:42 IST

Hindustan Times, Guwahati | By Utpal Parashar

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Expressing concern over the reported effect on biodiversity and wildlife due to the proposed construction of a road through Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR), Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Monday ordered all survey works, ongoing or scheduled, to stop.

As the road passes through PTR, a biodiversity hotspot, environment activists and locals in the area had opposed its construction. (HT File / Representational Photo)

The proposed 40-km road is part of the East-West Industrial Corridor road proposed to connect Seijosa in Pakke-Kesang district and Bhalukpung in West Kameng district.

As the road passes through PTR, a biodiversity hotspot, environment activists and locals in the area had opposed its construction. The reserve is home to over 2000 species of plants, 300 species of birds, 40 species of mammals, 30 species of amphibians and 36 species of reptiles.

The decision to temporarily halt all survey work on the project was taken after a meeting Khandu had with the state’s chief secretary and commissioner of the public works department (PWD).

“As many species of flora and fauna are globally threatened, and PTR is one of the last remaining strongholds for these species, we are committed to preserve it for our future generations,” Khandu was quoted as saying in an official release.

“We are aware that any infrastructural development that can be detrimental to the tiger reserve in the future need to be considered seriously before proposing it,” he added.

Khandu proposed a detailed review meeting to be held soon on the issue with the environment and forest department, PWD and all local stakeholders to chalk out further course of action.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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