Centre clears Goa-Tamnar power line, seeks wildlife plan

The Union Environment Ministry has given in-principle approval for the diversion of 426.6 acres of forest in Karnataka for the Goa-Tamnar 400 kV transmission line, the Deccan Herald reports. The project involves felling 13,954 of 72,817 trees in Karnataka and 7,461 trees in Goa.

The Regional Empowered Committee of the MoEF&CC noted the recent clearance from the National Board of Wildlife for work inside Kali Tiger Reserve. The committee sought a wildlife mitigation plan, noting endangered species in the area. It also directed the company not to build new approach roads in the forest and to take permission before using existing roads.

The 85.65 km line has a right-of-way of 46 metres, with 37.96 km passing through forest and wildlife areas. Of 223 towers, 107 will be in these zones. The committee also requested a site inspection report on compensatory afforestation on 864.86 acres of degraded forest land.