New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the construction of four proposed dams inside the Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary in Haryana's Yamunanaga district.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta issued notices to the Centre, Haryana government and others seeking their response.
The top court said that construction of dams would not only be harmful to the wildlife and population in Kalesar but would also be harmful to the ecosystem and the purpose for which the dams have been proposed would not be achieved.
"Issue notice. We further direct that no steps shall be taken for construction of dams until an order is passed by this court," the bench said.,
The top court was hearing a plea filed by lawyer Gaurav Bansal against the construction of four dams Chikan, Kansli, Khillanwala and Ambawali within the Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary as it would have a negative impact on the flora and fauna in the area.
Bansal submitted before the apex court that the National Wildlife Board has given permission to build dams inside the wildlife sanctuary without taking cognizance of the report of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), which states that there is no need for such dams. .
“WII in its report ‘Feasibility Study of Proposed Small Dams in Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary, Haryana’ has clearly stated that the proposed dams are within the protected area limits of Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary and thus will cause significant harm to terrestrial as well as aquatic biodiversity. Will also significantly impact protected areas,” Bansal submitted.
Quoting a letter from Haryana's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Bansal said they have stated that the proposed dam sites which are located in the notified limits of the sanctuary, will affect the existing patterns of habitat use of various species.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta issued notices to the Centre, Haryana government and others seeking their response.
The top court said that construction of dams would not only be harmful to the wildlife and population in Kalesar but would also be harmful to the ecosystem and the purpose for which the dams have been proposed would not be achieved.
"Issue notice. We further direct that no steps shall be taken for construction of dams until an order is passed by this court," the bench said.,
The top court was hearing a plea filed by lawyer Gaurav Bansal against the construction of four dams Chikan, Kansli, Khillanwala and Ambawali within the Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary as it would have a negative impact on the flora and fauna in the area.
Bansal submitted before the apex court that the National Wildlife Board has given permission to build dams inside the wildlife sanctuary without taking cognizance of the report of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), which states that there is no need for such dams. .
“WII in its report ‘Feasibility Study of Proposed Small Dams in Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary, Haryana’ has clearly stated that the proposed dams are within the protected area limits of Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary and thus will cause significant harm to terrestrial as well as aquatic biodiversity. Will also significantly impact protected areas,” Bansal submitted.
Quoting a letter from Haryana's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Bansal said they have stated that the proposed dam sites which are located in the notified limits of the sanctuary, will affect the existing patterns of habitat use of various species.
