Karnala is on verge of getting destroyed

The most sought after destination Karnala Bird Sanctuary some 60 km south-west of Mumbai is on verge of being destroyed. Courtesy the state wildlife board that approved widening of National Highway number 17.
The state wildlife board met after one-and-half years on Friday to discuss various issues related to forest and wildlife in the city. Approval to proposal to widen the highway was one of the topics and surprisingly, despite strong objection from members, the resolution was passed.
“I opposed the resolution to widen the highway which will eventually destroy already tiny heaven of birds. The government should explore alternative ways and divert the highway,” said Harshawardhan Dhanvate, a member of state wildlife board. Another member Dr Dilip Yardi also strongly opposed the proposal. The sanctuary spread over 12 sq km is already under pressure of illegal grazing and encroachments.
The additional chief secretary, revenue and forest JP Dange ruled out the opposition claiming that the widening was necessary as the national highway should not have curves. Sources said that there is strong opposition to the proposal. There is scope for realignment of the highway which is economically viable and will solve all the problems of the sanctuary as well. “It will not be an easy task to get approval for the widening since the National Tiger Conservation Authority is strongly opposing similar proposal about widening of National Highway number 6 that cuts through Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh,” sources said. The sate forest department has already registered strong objection to the proposal. JP Dange could not be reached for his version.
Naturalist Sunjoy Monga opined that one of the greatest threats to the last surviving protected areas and their edges is the development onslaught that continues unabated. “The sad part of this process is that the developmental lobby often does not even try to make an attempt to look at alternatives that would save any bit of wilderness but look for the easier option to cut right through. I do seriously hope that Karnala, already a tiny, almost a pint-sized bird-haven is not further fragmented and that it requires a slightly longer diversion we should explore the same if it can result in overall ecological good.”
Forest minister Babanrao Pachpute said, “There is no alternative for realignment of the highway. However, we will thoroughly study the effects of the widening on the sanctuary and try to mitigate the same.”