Govt received 201 proposals for Railway, highway projects in ESZs

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav sought to assure the member that the environment ministry vets such proposals by monitoring mitigation measures, and wildlife management plans. He also said in his written response 44 elephants have died due to collisions in the same period.

Railway projects, highway projects, Rajya Sabha, Bhupender Yadav, Govt received proposals for Railway projects, Indian express news, current affairs

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav speaks in the Rajya Sabha (PTI)

The Union Environment Ministry has received 201 proposals between 2023 and 2025 for highways, railways and other infrastructure projects through eco-sensitive zones, wildlife corridors, national parks and tiger reserves, Rajya Sabha was informed Thursday.

Responding to a question from Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav sought to assure the member that the environment ministry vets such proposals by monitoring mitigation measures, and wildlife management plans. He also said in his written response 44 elephants have died due to collisions in the same period.

As per data, of 201 proposals received for prior permissions, 83 were in 2023, 61 in 2024, and 57 in 2025. Yadav said, “Whenever we grant approvals, wildlife board monitors wildlife management plans and mitigation plans.” He cited a recent initiative of identifying 110 sensitive railway stretches in elephant ranges, where mitigation such as overpasses, underpasses and tweaks to existing infrastructure has been suggested. He stressed that approvals are granted keeping in mind harmony between economic development and environmental protection.

Nikhil Ghanekar

An award-winning journalist with 14 years of experience, Nikhil Ghanekar is an Assistant Editor with the National Bureau [Government] of The Indian Express in New Delhi. He primarily covers environmental policy matters which involve tracking key decisions and inner workings of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. He also covers the functioning of the National Green Tribunal and writes on the impact of environmental policies on wildlife conservation, forestry issues and climate change. Nikhil joined The Indian Express in 2024. Originally from Mumbai, he has worked in publications such as Tehelka, Hindustan Times, DNA Newspaper, News18 and Indiaspend. In the past 14 years, he has written on a range of subjects such as sports, current affairs, civic issues, city centric environment news, central government policies and politics. ... Read More

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Govt received 201 proposals for Railway, highway projects in ESZs

Union Environm­ent Minister Bhupender Yadav sou­ght to assure the member that the environment ministry vets such proposals by monitoring mitigation measures, and wildlife management plans. He also said in his written response 44 elephants have died due to collisions in the same period.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav sought to assure the member that the environment ministry vets such proposals by monitoring mitigation measures, and wildlife management plans. He also said in his written response 44 elephants have died due to collisions in the same period.