Click to play videoNew Delhi: The proposed road alignment through one of India's best habitat for tigers connecting Kanha and Pench National Park by the National Highway Authority of India has opened a can of worms.
Following an outcry by the conservationists and the expose by CNN-IBN Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has stepped in.
"I have seen the story and am extremely concerned about the developments in Pench and we will try our best to save this habitat," said Ramesh.
The nine sq km stretch, a key link between Kanha and Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh, is in dense forest with even satellite images proving it.
But the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) as part of their plan to connect Srinagar and Kanyakumari wants to build a 56 km stretch in Madhya Pradesh which is proposed to cut through Pench National Park home to tigers, sambhar, spotted dears and many other endangered animals.
"The Pench landscape is absolutely critical for the future of tigers," says wildlife expert Belinda Wright.
Given the importance of the corridor the Central Empowered Committee and the Wildlife Institute of India suggested an alternate route which passes through Chindwara, the constituency of Highways and Transport Minister Kamal Nath.
But a document now available with CNN-IBN shows how the Amicus Curie had given a proposal which suggests constructing a road inside and outside the National Park despite contrary warnings by scientists.
"The NHAI has suggested an alternate proposal and in respect of which claims it has the approval of the State Board of Wildlife and the National Board of Wildlife," the note by Amicus Curiae Harish Salve said.
Senior wildlife scientists, too, have expressed their shock.
"This corridor is crucial and Mr Salve has let down conservation with this move of his," said Ullas Karanth.
Every top institution in the country has rejected the project which could sound the death knell for a vital tiger habitat.
Then why have the Amicus Curiae and the NHAI and the Ministry of Surface Transport still suggested building the road both outside and inside the national park.
Now with Ramesh stepping in is there a new lease for this tiger corridor?
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