Wildlife Institute’s biodiversity study for rail project in Western Ghats raises conflict of interest concerns

Subject: Environment

Section: Protected Areas

Context:

In August 2017, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) prepared a biodiversity and environment assessment report for a project proposed by Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) to double the railway track between Kulem in Goa and Castlerock in Karnataka.

Details:

The report of IISc was peer reviewed by a group of 31 scientists who found misidentification and under-reporting of the region’s biodiversity, faulty methodology like sparse usage of camera traps and the selection of a time period when herpetofauna are relatively inactive, that is, winter, and also omissions of information.
In May 2022, the Supreme court set aside the wildlife clearance of the project. Now the Wildlife Institute of India will assess the wildlife impact of the project.
National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is the apex statutory body in India that is primarily responsible for wildlife conservation in the country.

What is the concern now?

The scope of work of the study by WII is set by RVNL, the railway company which is the project proponent. So there is a clear conflict of interest.
The second issue is that the project will be developed and tries to mitigate rather than avoid any possible impact arising due to the project, when the first rule in impact assessment is the principle of avoidance.

About the proposed project of doubling the railway track by Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL):

Location: Kulem in Goa and Castlerock in Karnataka
The project seeks to cut through the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park in the Western Ghats in Goa; and will also impact connectivity across the border with Kali Tiger Reserve in Karnataka.
The project also includes laying of a 400-kV transmission line, which will involve the expansion of a national highway from Belagavi to Panaji from the existing two lanes to four lanes.

Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park:

It is a 240 square kilometers (93 sq mi) protected area located in the Western Ghats of West India, in Dharbandora taluka, Goa State, along the eastern border with Karnataka.
The area is situated near the town of Molem.
National Highway 4A divides it into two parts and the Mormugao – Londa railway line passes through the area.
It contains several important temples dating to the Kadambas of Goa, and home to waterfalls, such as Dudhsagar Falls and Tambdi Falls.
Devils Canyon:
- This is an eerie canyon of water carved crevices downstream fromDudhSagar Falls, created from solid rock by serpentine underwater currents.
The parkland is also home to a community of nomadic buffalo herders known as the Dhangar.
Threats to the sanctuary:
- This protected area is threatened by extensive surface mining and transport of manganese and iron ores. A serious threat is the deposit of toxic wastes.

Amche Mollem campaign:

The campaign was in response to the clearance of the project of doubling the railway track by Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL).
The Amche Mollem campaign won the Wildlife Service Award in 2021 for organizing Goans from all walks of life, from students and lawyers to fisherfolk, farmers and artists to send letters and petitions to the concerned officials, including the NBWL, the Goa government and the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court.