By our correspondent, New Delhi, 27 March 2013

Border Security Force(BSF) will suggest the alternative route of two stretches of proposed Ghaduli-Santalpur highway in Kutch district of Gujarat. BSF will examine the alternative routes in the light of the recommendation of the Site Inspection team of National Board of Wild Life which has disapproved the earlier proposed route to in a bid to save flamingo birds. This details were shared by Union minister for Enviornment and Forest Jayanthi Natarajan in Lok Sabha. Following is the complete text of question and answer in this regard:

In parliament this month

Gujarat MP asks:Whether the (central) Government has received a proposal for land diversion in Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary and Wild Ass Sanctuary for construction of strategically important road from Gaduli-Santalpur in Gujarat; if so, the details thereof; and the steps taken/being taken by the Government in view of the strategic and security importance of this area?

Minister of state (independent charge) for Enviornment and Forests Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan replies: The proposal for diversion of 79.474 ha of forest land in Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary and Wild Ass Sanctuary for construction of Gaduli-Hajipur-Odma-Khavda-Kunriya- Dholavira-Maovana-Gadakbet-Santalpur road has been received in the Ministry and it was discussed in the last meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life (N BWL) held on 12th December 2012.

The Committee considered the site inspection report submitted by Dr. M.K. Ranjitsing.

The Committee expressed concerns for two stretches of road i.e. from Kuneria-Dholavira and Maovana-Gadakbet-Santalpur as one of the proposed areas is the only breeding ground for Flamingo in Asia, and the movement of traffic would have a negative impact on this important habitat.

The Committee also heard the representatives from the Border Security Force.

The Committee recommended resubmission of the proposal with revised alignment as recommended in the Site inspection report.

The issue was also discussed during a meeting held on 14.1.2013, where in it was agreed that BSF will examine both the alternatives in the light of the recommendation of the Site Inspection team and will provide the response along with the alternative, which is compliant to the recommendations for the consideration of the Standing Committee of the NBWL.

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History

It should be mentioned that proposal of Ghaduli to Hajipur-Odma-Khavda-Kunaria-Dholavira-Maovana-Gadakbet-Santalpur state highway involves development of border roads to meet security needs of the Border Security Forces (BSF). Since the proposal involves diversion of land from Wildlife Sanctuary, it was placed for consideration of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife in its meeting held on 25th April 2011 wherein it was decided to carry out a site inspection before taking a view in the matter.

After site inspection, it was found that Kuneria-Dholavira and Maovana-Gadakbet-Santalpur stretches involve breeding ground for Flamingo, and the movement of traffic would have a negative impact on their habitat.

Arial survey was carried out in March 2011 for finalization of alignment of proposed 255 km long state highway. The survey tour was joined by union government’s joint secretary, border management, Inspector General of BSF, Secretary of Road and Building department of Government of Gujarat among others.

Strategic importance for BSF

Proposed highway will provide better mobility to the Border Security Force (BSF), which otherwise has to take a long 80 km circuitous route via Bhuj in the absence of any road between the areas. Proposed highway is located at just 50 km distance from the international border with Pakistan.

Cost and statistics

The project cost of this state highway is estimated at over Rs 550 crore. The highway works involve 9 km area of Patan district, and 246 km area of Kutch district. Existing 125 km road is mostly ready and it was needing just repairing, upgradation and strengthening works. Another 139 km road has to be built fresh. While total need of the land is 300 ha, the Enviornment and Forest department has granted permission to 79 ha area or 62 km. The road will be 3.5 meter wide. Commercial traffic will not be allowed on proposed road.

Some stretches of proposed highway are; 34 km Ghaduli-Hajipur, 24 km Hajipir-Odama, Dhordo-Khavda, Khavda-Kunaria-Tangdi bet(challenge to build a road in water logged rann area), Tangdibet-Dholavira(kachcha road will be converted to pucca road) and Dholavira-Khadir bet-Mauvana-Gadkabet(again challenging part).

Tourism angle

Though the actual purpose of the road is to meet security needs of the Border Security Forces (BSF), it also “coincides” with Gujarat government’s effort to sell the White Rann as a major tourism attraction in Gujarat. Starting at Gaduli, the road will first touch Zara Dungar. There are spots nearby where wild asses, a rare species, can be found. Then, it touches Hajipir, an important dargah where both Hindus and Muslims go in large numbers. Thereafter is Dhordo village, where the state government has developed a Rann Resort for tourists to stay in traditional Kutchi Bhungas. Then, the road passes next to Kala Dungar, being sold by the state government as an important tourism spot. Further, the road passes through Khavda and reaches Dholavira, one of the best Harappan sites of India, before moving towards Santalpur in Patan district. Between Khavda and Dholavira, if one takes a turn northwards, about 30 kilometres into the White Rann, one can visit what has come to be known as Flamingo City, already a major attraction for those interested in environmental tourism.