The Hindu
The 30-acre polo ground has been specially earmarked for the black buck.
The proposed helipad is within 200 metres of their habitat. Photo: K.
Pichumani
The 30-acre polo ground has been specially earmarked for the black buck.
The proposed helipad is within 200 metres of their habitat. Photo: K.
Pichumani
Forest dept. objects to proposed facility at Guindy National Park
The 30-acre polo ground inside Guindy National Park,
the last remaining habitat of the blackbuck, an endangered antelope, is
under threat.
the last remaining habitat of the blackbuck, an endangered antelope, is
under threat.
Officials at Raj Bhavan plan to create a
helipad there, despite objections from forest department officials,
said a senior forest officer.
helipad there, despite objections from forest department officials,
said a senior forest officer.
Around 3.30 p.m. on
Wednesday, a team of officials, including Hans Raj Verma, principal
secretary, environment and forests, and Ramesh Chand Meena, secretary to
governor, inspected the polo ground. After this, a meeting was held at
the Secretariat.
Wednesday, a team of officials, including Hans Raj Verma, principal
secretary, environment and forests, and Ramesh Chand Meena, secretary to
governor, inspected the polo ground. After this, a meeting was held at
the Secretariat.
On July 22, 2013, Mohan Verghese
Chunkath, additional chief secretary and secretary, environment and
forests, had written a letter to Jatindra Nath Swain, principal
secretary, public (protocol) department, stating that the noise and
escalated activity over formation of a helipad at Raj Bhavan would
impact the flora and fauna in the area.
Chunkath, additional chief secretary and secretary, environment and
forests, had written a letter to Jatindra Nath Swain, principal
secretary, public (protocol) department, stating that the noise and
escalated activity over formation of a helipad at Raj Bhavan would
impact the flora and fauna in the area.
The polo
ground has been specially earmarked for blackbuck, numbering 320, and
the area is maintained to suit the habitat needs of the animal.
ground has been specially earmarked for blackbuck, numbering 320, and
the area is maintained to suit the habitat needs of the animal.
The
proposed helipad is within 200 metres of the blackbuck habitat. Hence,
it is not advisable to create a helipad there, he said.
proposed helipad is within 200 metres of the blackbuck habitat. Hence,
it is not advisable to create a helipad there, he said.
This
is not the first time such a proposal is being pushed, said another
forest officer. In September 1998, bushes in the polo ground area were
cleared to create a helipad to facilitate the landing of then Prime
Minister A. B. Vajpayee.
is not the first time such a proposal is being pushed, said another
forest officer. In September 1998, bushes in the polo ground area were
cleared to create a helipad to facilitate the landing of then Prime
Minister A. B. Vajpayee.
However, as forest officers
were adamant in their decision to not allow the formation of the
helipad, the idea was dropped and a helipad was created inside Anna
University.
were adamant in their decision to not allow the formation of the
helipad, the idea was dropped and a helipad was created inside Anna
University.
Naturalists, on condition of anonymity,
said the authorities could create a permanent helipad at Anna
University. Guindy National Park is the last patch of blackbuck habitat,
and should not be disturbed at any cost.
said the authorities could create a permanent helipad at Anna
University. Guindy National Park is the last patch of blackbuck habitat,
and should not be disturbed at any cost.
Already,
under the pretext of expansion on the IIT-Madras campus, many open areas
that were once blackbuck habitats have been taken over and buildings
have come up there, they said.
under the pretext of expansion on the IIT-Madras campus, many open areas
that were once blackbuck habitats have been taken over and buildings
have come up there, they said.
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