Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary: Forest Diversion for CRRR Raises Conservation Debate

Why in the News ?

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has approved the diversion of 4.68 hectares of forest land from the Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary for the construction of the 111 km six-lane Capital Region Ring Road (CRRR) project.

The decision has triggered discussions on balancing infrastructure development with wildlife conservation.

Background and Context

India’s rapid urbanisation and economic growth have increased the demand for:

• Expressways and ring roads
• Regional connectivity corridors
• Urban decongestion infrastructure

At the same time, infrastructure expansion often intersects with protected forest areas and wildlife habitats, raising concerns over:

• Habitat fragmentation
• Wildlife corridors
• Human-animal conflict

Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, diversion of land within protected areas requires approval from the NBWL’s Standing Committee. The recent clearance for land diversion in Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary highlights the delicate balance between development and ecological preservation.

About Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Dhenkanal district, Odisha
• Forest Type: Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forest
• Legal Status: Notified Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary forms part of the Eastern Ghats landscape and plays an important ecological role in central Odisha.

Vegetation and Flora

The sanctuary is dominated by:

• Sal (Shorea robusta) forests
• Associated species such as:
  • Amla
  • Teak
  • Kadamba

The moist deciduous ecosystem supports rich undergrowth and seasonal diversity, contributing to:

• Carbon sequestration
• Soil conservation
• Water retention

Faunal Diversity

Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary supports diverse wildlife, including:

Mammals

• Elephants
• Jungle cats
• Sloth bears
• Spotted deer
• Jackals
• Pangolins
• Porcupines

Avifauna

• Peacocks
• Junglefowl
• Kingfishers
• Various resident and migratory birds

Reptiles

• Several reptilian species adapted to moist deciduous habitats

The sanctuary contributes to maintaining ecological connectivity in Odisha’s forest landscape.

The CRRR Project and Forest Diversion

The proposed Capital Region Ring Road (CRRR):

• Length: 111 km
• Purpose: Improve connectivity and decongest urban traffic
• Forest diversion: 4.68 hectares within sanctuary limits

Although the diverted area is relatively small, concerns include:

• Potential habitat fragmentation
• Disturbance to wildlife movement
• Increased vehicular traffic and noise pollution

Mitigation measures such as wildlife crossings, underpasses, and compensatory afforestation are expected to be part of project conditions.

Significance of the Issue

1. Development vs Conservation Debate

The clearance highlights the ongoing challenge of reconciling:

• Infrastructure growth
• Biodiversity protection

2. Role of NBWL

The NBWL plays a critical regulatory role in evaluating:

• Ecological impact
• Alternative alignments
• Mitigation strategies

3. Ecological Importance of Eastern Ghats

Kapilash lies within the Eastern Ghats biodiversity zone, which:

• Hosts endemic species
• Acts as a climate buffer
• Supports tribal and rural livelihoods

4. Human-Wildlife Interface

Road expansion may increase:

• Wildlife mortality due to vehicle collisions
• Human-wildlife conflict

5. Sustainable Infrastructure Planning

The case underscores the need for:

• Environmentally sensitive road design
• Wildlife corridors and eco-bridges
• Long-term ecological impact assessment

Challenges and Way Forward

Challenges

• Habitat fragmentation
• Wildlife corridor disruption
• Environmental degradation from increased traffic
• Ensuring compliance with mitigation measures

Way Forward

• Construct wildlife underpasses and overpasses
• Strengthen environmental monitoring mechanisms
• Ensure compensatory afforestation of high ecological value
• Integrate ecological impact into urban planning
• Promote landscape-level conservation planning