Bhopal: The Central government has sought two weeks’ time to file its reply to a fresh public interest litigation (PIL) before the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s principal bench in Jabalpur. The PIL, filed by Jabalpur-based advocate Arihant Tiwari, challenges the wildlife safeguards and assessment framework for the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP). Tiwari has filed the PIL raising concerns over the potential impact of KBLP, India’s first river-interlinking project, on wildlife, particularly in MP’s Panna Tiger Reserve and Ken Gharial Sanctuary.

Talking to Mathrubhumi English, advocate Tiwari said, “The state and the centre have sought two weeks time for filing a reply. The court has asked them to tell the court about what precautions or implementations they have taken keeping the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) report in mind.”

“The state had submitted some documents regarding the finances, to which, the court said that they are not concerned with the financial department. It further said that they’re concerned with the wildlife and the forest, and asked them for the measures and precautions that have been taken so far,” the advocate further said.

The centre was represented by Solicitor General Sunil Jain and Deputy Solicitor General Suyash Mohan Guru. The matter will proceed after the Central government files its response. As of now, Tiwari informed that the next date of hearing hasn’t been given, but it’s expected to be held either by the end of the month or November first week.

The petition questions whether the ecological implications of the project have been adequately examined and whether the authorities have complied with relevant Supreme Court directions concerning wildlife affected by development projects. It also flags the absence of a dedicated mechanism to address wildlife-related grievances and raises questions over the findings of the CEC report and the action taken by the authorities in response to its observations.

Explaining why he filed the petition, Tiwari said, “The CEC report states that the project will have a vast impact on wildlife and its habitat, which is my core concern for the PIL. Also, a special grievance committee for wildlife was to be made, which still doesn’t exist.”

The plea further seeks judicial intervention on the wildlife-related concerns arising from the project, which involves the construction of the Daudhan dam on the Ken River. The project is slated to have a potential impact on species such as tigers, vultures and gharials, among other wildlife.

Meanwhile, Mathrubhumi English recently reported on the potential threat to vulture habitat in Panna Tiger Reserve because of the dam project.

Furthermore, the project is also facing massive opposition from local villagers, including tribal communities, in MP’s Chhatarpur district against the displacement and the loss of their homes and land.