1.51 lakh trees to go if Human dam is built

The move to push detrimental Human major dam project in the buffer zone of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) has exposed the doublespeak of the BJP-Shiv Sena government in the state.
The cash-strapped government has put the 2,059 crore project on the agenda of state board for wildlife (SBWL) meeting on October 26.
The major dam will lead to felling of 1,50,791 trees.Besides, it will convert Tadoba into a big open zoo by blocking free movement of tigers through corridor.
“On one hand, forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar is focusing on 50 crore plantations and on the other he is pushing detrimental Human which will divert 1,926 hectares of rich forest. The minister is planning to make Tadoba world class but by supporting the dam he is putting tigers in peril as the dam will block entire corridor to Brahmapuri,” said Harshwardhan Dhanwatey of Tiger Research and Conservation Trust (TRACT).
According to sources, a section of SBWL members have decided to submit a memorandum to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis opposing the project.
TOI is in possession of the latest NTCA report submitted to the Centre and state by a 4-member committee last year. The report gives a negative opinion about the project.
“As per the original plan, the project was initiated basically to supply 132 mm3 water to CSTPS. But now that a separate dam has been built on Irai on the west of Tadoba in 1990, Human needs to be relooked,” the report states.
The centrally empowered committee (CEC) had also raised concerns in 2008 with the Supreme Court about large-scale felling causing serious environmental repercussions. The Human project was conceived in 1983 and in 2004, the MoEF recommended the project with certain conditions. The said project perhaps could not be launched owing to a PIL filed by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in the apex court. Subsequently, based on an affidavit by MoEF, the SC allowed the project in November 2008.
However, conservationists have questioned the project, especially after Gosikhurd and other irrigation projects coming up in the region. “In 33 years entire, the landscape has changed with several small and medium dams,” the report states.
Former environment minister Jairam Ramesh on September 8, 2009, too, had advised then Congress government in the state not to pursue the Human dam.