New Delhi: The expert committee set up by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to examine Kozhikode-Palakkad Greenfield National Highway proposal in its report has listed specific recommendations to the stretch as it passes near eco-sensitive zone of Silent Valley National Park.

Elevated roads should be built between 7.72 km- 8.8 km, 17.55 km- 18.2 km, and 51.97 km- 52.55 km of the proposed stretch from Palakkad. Similarly, no entry or exit gates shall be installed on the sides of the stretch passing near ESZ.

The panel also highlighted that cutting of trees should be done in a judicious manner. It has been also advised to avoid cutting matured or heritage trees in this region. The geotagged photos of such trees have to be included in the report. 

Other guidelines

  • The trees that are home to rare/migratory birds have to be preserved

  • The numbers and details of the trees which would be chopped must be recorded

  • The pattern of animal movement has to be studied and reported

  • A comprehensive scheme should be implemented to plant natural varieties of trees in respective zones as per the IRC guidelines

  • Institutions such as the Wildlife Institute of India should conduct a detailed survey of biodiversity and the rate of traffic flow

  • Estimate the number of deaths related to road accidents in the nearby regions

  • Estimate the number of animals injured or dead in road mishaps in the nearby regions

  • Submit a comprehensive traffic design

  • Conduct a study to ascertain the impact of the project on biodiversity