Activists flag NH-73 roadwork amid pending forest, wildlife clearances

Mangaluru: Environmental activists have raised concerns over the start of road construction along the Ujire–Periyashanti stretch of NH-73, which passes through forest and non-forest areas.In a memorandum to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), and the deputy conservator of forests, Mangaluru division, an activist flagged the commencement of work despite statutory clearances still pending.On March 5, an activist objected to the proposed diversion of 9.55 hectares of Reserved Forest land to widen the NH-73 spur road between Ujire, Dharmasthala, and Periyashanti. The proposal is under consideration for forest clearance (FC) and wildlife clearance (WC). However, construction has reportedly begun across several stretches.The memorandum alleged that work is underway in non-forest areas and reserved forest sections within the notified Kudremukh–Pushpagiri Tiger Corridor. It said starting work on non-forest land before securing FC violates the Consolidated Guidelines under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, and the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023.It further stated that initiating construction within a notified tiger corridor without wildlife appraisal or recommendations from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is inconsistent with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.As of March 19, construction activity has also reportedly begun on two bridges across streams in the Porkal and Nidle Extension reserve forests. The memorandum alleged that debris has been dumped into stream channels to reduce water flow and facilitate construction, while concrete pillar work is in progress.The activist urged forest authorities to suspend all construction and road-widening work along the alignment until statutory approvals are obtained, and to take action against agencies that began work without the necessary clearances.Reacting to the allegations, a senior forest department official said no work had been undertaken in forest areas. "The work is being undertaken in the revenue area. The forest clearances are under consideration," the official said.