Vedanta row, BJP sees danger to wildlife

Bhubaneswar, July 31: The opposition BJP today voiced concern about the fate of eco-fragile sensitive zone around Balukhand-Konark sanctuary, located barely few meters from the proposed Vedanta University near Puri.

Raising the issue during the debate on the bill in the assembly, BJP legislature party leader K V Singhdeo said, “boundary of the proposed varsity is touching the sanctuary.”

Quoting a letter of Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Orissa to the Principal Secretary of Forest and Environment department, Singhdeo said industries, processes and operations within eco-fragile and eco-sensitive zones around sanctuaries needed regulation.

The Balukhand-Konark sanctuary, notified in 1984, affords security and habitat protection to about 3000 deer and antelopes including more than 100 black-bucks.
–PTI