Bhubaneswar: The 11th meeting of the Standing Committee of the State Wildlife Council (SWC) has recommended five major development projects, including four related to mobile tower installation and a crucial national highway construction under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, for final approval by the Chairman of the SWC (Chief Minister) and onward submission to the Central Wildlife Council.
The meeting, held under the chairmanship of the Minister, Forest, Environment and Climate Change, and Shri Ganesh Ram Singhuntia, saw Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Environment, Climate Change Department, Shri Satyabrat Sahu, outline the points for discussion. The committee, constituted under Section 6(A) of the Wildlife Amendment (Protection) Act, 2022, focuses on the conservation and prosperity of wildlife in the State and timely resolution of associated issues.
Four of the proposals presented were aimed at improving telecommunication connectivity in rural areas under the Government of India’s 4G project. These projects are intended to provide uninterrupted tele-connectivity, integrate rural residents into the mainstream of society, and enable access to vital government services like health and education.
The recommended mobile tower installations include, New mobile towers at Belgaum village in Gajapati district by Reliance Jio, Buriapaju village in Gania tehsil of Nayagarh district by BSNL, Janakjhali village in Gania tehsil of Nayagarh district and in Rekadi village in Gania tehsil of Nayagarh district.
Additionally, a significant infrastructure project for a new national highway was recommended: Construction of a national highway connecting Govindpur in Dhenkanal district to Tangi in Cuttack district as part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana. This road connectivity project is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion on National Highway No. 16 (NH-16) between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, thus improving transport facilities.
Beyond project clearances, the meeting also emphasized broader discussions on wildlife conservation efforts, including strategies for the reduction of human-animal conflict and habitat improvement, alongside the timely resolution of internal administrative problems.
The meeting was attended by Bhatili MLA Shri Irashish Acharya, Chief Conservator of Forests and Forest Force Chief Shri Suresh Pant, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Shri Prem Kumar Jha, IGP Crime Branch Shri Sarthak Sarangi, and several other key members including wildlife experts, former officials, and representatives from the Wildlife Institute of India, Reliance Jio, BSNL, and National Highways.