<p>Thiruvananthapuram: Apart from the environmental concerns posed by the proposed Wayanad tunnel project, the Kerala government's State Environmental Appraisal Committee (SEAC) has pointed out that the project poses risks to endangered species of birds, biological diversity as well as tribal hamlets.</p><p>SEAC has also warned of cancelling the environment clearance unless the corporate environmental responsibility aspect of the project is revised by incorporating measures to address the socio-economic vulnerability of the tribal population that will be affected.</p><p>According to the SEAC report, four tribal colonies are located within 500 metre to 1.5 km of the proposed tunnel road. A tribal settlement, Aranamala Kattunaikka colony with 27 families are identified as project affected families, while 32 tribal populations in Mammikkunnu, Kuppachi, Kalladi and Aranamala colony in Wayanad fall close to the proposed tunnel road. </p>.Environmental clearance given for Wayanad tunnel road project despite serious environmental concerns.<p>The SEAC pointed out that the proposed tunnel project area has presence of endangered bird species such as Banasura Chilappan and Nilgiri Sholakili. Five bird species are under threatened categories as per the IUCN Red List, three vulnerable species, fourteen species are endemic to Western Ghats and 29 species are under Schedule-1 and 155 species under Schedule-II of WLP Act, 1972. The project area is known for its rich biological diversity. Part of Nilgiri biosphere reserve falls within the 10 km radii of the project alignment.</p><p>SEAC recommended that a detailed monitoring by institutions like Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History should be commissioned on Banasura Chilappan in the sky islands above the proposed tunnel to find any genetic vulnerability of the species due to any disturbances caused by the tunnel </p><p>The SEAC also recommended that the government should establish the Appankappu elephant corridor to facilitate movement of elephants from Camel Hump mountains in South Wayanad and Kozhikode and Nilambur north forest divisions towards the larger forested landscape of Nilambur south division, Karimpuzha Sanctuary and Silent Valley national park. </p>
<p>Thiruvananthapuram: Apart from the environmental concerns posed by the proposed Wayanad tunnel project, the Kerala government's State Environmental Appraisal Committee (SEAC) has pointed out that the project poses risks to endangered species of birds, biological diversity as well as tribal hamlets.</p><p>SEAC has also warned of cancelling the environment clearance unless the corporate environmental responsibility aspect of the project is revised by incorporating measures to address the socio-economic vulnerability of the tribal population that will be affected.</p><p>According to the SEAC report, four tribal colonies are located within 500 metre to 1.5 km of the proposed tunnel road. A tribal settlement, Aranamala Kattunaikka colony with 27 families are identified as project affected families, while 32 tribal populations in Mammikkunnu, Kuppachi, Kalladi and Aranamala colony in Wayanad fall close to the proposed tunnel road. </p>.Environmental clearance given for Wayanad tunnel road project despite serious environmental concerns.<p>The SEAC pointed out that the proposed tunnel project area has presence of endangered bird species such as Banasura Chilappan and Nilgiri Sholakili. Five bird species are under threatened categories as per the IUCN Red List, three vulnerable species, fourteen species are endemic to Western Ghats and 29 species are under Schedule-1 and 155 species under Schedule-II of WLP Act, 1972. The project area is known for its rich biological diversity. Part of Nilgiri biosphere reserve falls within the 10 km radii of the project alignment.</p><p>SEAC recommended that a detailed monitoring by institutions like Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History should be commissioned on Banasura Chilappan in the sky islands above the proposed tunnel to find any genetic vulnerability of the species due to any disturbances caused by the tunnel </p><p>The SEAC also recommended that the government should establish the Appankappu elephant corridor to facilitate movement of elephants from Camel Hump mountains in South Wayanad and Kozhikode and Nilambur north forest divisions towards the larger forested landscape of Nilambur south division, Karimpuzha Sanctuary and Silent Valley national park. </p>