Nagpur: A wildlife activist has pointed out that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India ( WII ) for mitigation measures along Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Mahamarg creates a conflict of interest.MSRDC announced a day ago that WII scientist Bilal Habib and his team will suggest mitigation measures in patches falling in eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of three protected areas (PAs) in the proposed 700km Samruddhi Mahamarg.However, Habib is also on nine-member state-level committee constituted by the state government to suggest mitigation measures. Kishor Rithe, another member of this committee, agreed it created a “conflict of interest” as committee is to decide on measures to be suggested. He said a member can either become consultant for project proponent or member of the committee but not both. WII may take a decision after this appointment.Rithe stated this had not happened for the first time and in many instances. BNHS in case of Navi Mumbai Airport was carrying out studies for the project proponents while being part of the project clearance committees too. “there has been precedence that the NGO representative advising project proponent should not participate in the decision-making process of the same project,” he added.Radheshyam Mopalwar, MSRDC vice-chairman & managing director, did not comment. He said he would talk later as he was busy with some guests.APCCF (wildlife) Sunil Limaye, member-secretary of the committee, said, “If the state government accepts the WII report in toto then it is fine, if not then ‘conflict of interest’ issue will arise. Let’s see. I will talk to Bilal Habib.”In 2011, WII’s Habib in his report had suggested five 1,000-metre-long underpasses on NH7 (Nagpur-Seoni), where road widening would have destroyed the most functional tiger corridor between Kanha and Pench. However, under pressure from transport ministry, length of underpasses were curtailed twice first to 750 metres, and then to 300 metres and 50 metres. Similar was the case with NH6 (Nagpur-Deori), where mitigation measures were curtailed.Repeated attempts to contact Habib proved futile.The entire 700km stretch has been divided in five packages falling in Nagpur, Amravati, Aurangabad, Nashik and Konkan revenue divisions. Of the five packages, wildlife corridors fall in Package I (Bor Tiger Reserve), II (Karanja-Sohal & Katepurna wildlife sanctuaries), and V (Tansa sanctuary).In June, first meeting of the committee was held in which wildlife officials had raised serious concerns about missing links between Bor-Tadoba-Melghat tiger corridor. It was suggested to include mitigation steps in forested areas near Bazargaon-Kelzar-Kondhali on NH6.

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