BHOPAL | Aug 30, 2016: A damning report on impact study of flora and fauna for diamond mining by Rio Tinto, the MNC that has decided to wrap up its Bunder project in Chhatarpur, had stated "direct impact of bore holes drilling activities on wildlife habitat and major fauna existing at the project site."

The project area where British Australian mining major now wants a third party to carry out operations- is located in midst of an important wildlife corridor. It connects famous Panna tiger reserve and Nauradehi sanctuary in Sagar.

The impact study conducted by the forest and ecology division of the State Forest Research Institute Jabalpur, had also stated "adverse impact" on wildlife movement in the region, including that of tiger and leopard.

Pointing out major impact on wildlife corridor, the report said, "The project area is established wildlife corridor between wildlife protected area of PTR and Nauradehi sanctuary the project area is located in southern side of the corridor, which links two important forest communities of Panna and Sagar tiger, leopard wild dog, sambhar, chital chinkara barking dog in any developmental activity may cause adverse impact on viability of wildlife corridor and movement of existing wildlife of the area."

The study was conducted at project sites located inside jungle where drilling activities had taken place since 2007. Its report was submitted to the government in 2012.

Mining minister told TOI, "The company wanted clearance for about 900 hectares of forest land but the government was not clearing the portion where dense forest is situated. This issue would have been resolved. It was on the verge of clearance." The long-pending issue was considered one of the major reasons why Rino Tinto decided to give up, knowledgeable sources said.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)

ALSO READ: Diamond mine with 27 million carats of stone likely to be auctioned by India (Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/)