New Delhi: The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), a top body that decides on matters related to wildlife conservation and housing conservation, has approved 32 defense infrastructure proposals, including the diversion of land from protected areas and environment-based areas in Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat.Projects include the construction of strategic roads, helipads, ammunition depots and housing for soldiers and artillery regiments. The wholesale of projects along the China border is to be executed in Ladakh’s ecological Karakoram (Nubra-Shayok) and Changthang Cold Deert Wildlife Sanctuary.One of the most important projects that received approval is the 10.26-km road link between Daulat Baig Oldi (DBO) and Border personnel meeting (BPM) Hat. This is the place where Indian and Chinese Army officials meet to discuss border issues.All approval was given by the Standing Committee of the Board under the chairmanship of Union Environment Minister Bhupinder Yadav, which was received on 26 June. Projects were recommended to be subject to preparation and enforcement of mitigation measures, timely restrictions and operations, waste settlement schemes and regular compliance reporting.In addition to the defense infrastructure projects in Ladakh, the committee approved the proposal to remove 310 hectares of forest land from the main area of Arunachal Pradesh from the main area of Arunachal Pradesh, and for the construction of projects for the construction of a border post (BOP) and a helipad in Gujarat.For Ladakh, the committee approved more than two dozen proposals. These include an Artillery Regiment and 33.4 hectares (Ha) for Field Hospital in Bogdang; 47.6 hectares for a forward aviation base in Shyok; 25.1 hectares for Housing Short Range Surface to Air Missile System; 31 hectares for a spherical storage facility in the gapshan; And 40.47 hectares for an army regiment in fearless.The proposal to install a field ammunition storage facility (FASF) in Hanley and the constant of helicopters in Partapur was also approved with standard conditions.In Sikkim, the committee approved the use of 0.29 hectares of forest land from Pangolkha Wildlife Sanctuary for operating a hot mix plant under the Bro’s Project Swastik in Gangtok district.
