Illegal construction around Dalma hills threatens elephant habitat in Jamshedpur
KUMUD JENAMANI Jamshedpur, September 28: Unchecked construction and excavation activities in and around the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary are raising concerns over the…
One of the multi-storey buildings under construction in the foothills of Dalma, behind Gopal Nagar near Jamshedpur.
KUMUD JENAMANI
Jamshedpur, September 28: Unchecked construction and excavation activities in and around the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary are raising concerns over the gradual degradation of the elephant habitat and the loss of the hills’ tourism appeal.
Spread across about 192 sq km, the Dalma hills have long been known as a natural habitat for wild elephants and a major attraction for tourists, particularly eco-tourists. However, the area has witnessed increasing construction activity over the past two to three years, according to local residents.
Construction Activity Expands in Eco-Sensitive Zone
Residents allege that multi-storey buildings are now coming up close to, and in some cases within, the eco-sensitive zone around Dalma, while construction and excavation activities have also increased in the hills.
They fear that such activities could disturb elephants and other wildlife and gradually affect the ecological character of the sanctuary.
Until a couple of decades ago, residents said, construction near the Dalma eco-sensitive zone faced action from the then Mango Notified Area Committee (MNAC). However, they allege that enforcement has weakened with the expansion of residential areas around the foothills.
Foothills Turn Into Expanding Residential Belt
Several residential colonies, including Chandrawati Nagar, Gokul Nagar, Ripit Colony and Gopal Nagar, have developed around the foothills over the past two decades.
Residents have particularly raised objections to multi-storey construction behind Gopal Nagar and Chandravati Nagar, alleging that some of these structures fall within the eco-sensitive zone.
Anil Kumar, a Chandravati Nagar resident, recalled that when he constructed his single-storey house about two decades ago, officials of the then MNAC repeatedly visited the site and pasted notices alleging that the construction was illegal, despite his house being outside the eco-sensitive zone.
“Now two four-storey buildings are being constructed behind our colony in the eco-sensitive zone itself. How could this be possible?” he asked while speaking to The Jharkhand Story.
Several other residents echoed similar concerns.
Forest Officials Yet to Respond
Questions have also been raised over the role of the forest department in regulating construction and other activities in and around the sanctuary.
Divisional Forest Officer, Jamshedpur, Shaba Alam Ansari, who also functions as DFO, Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, could not be reached for comment. The report said Ansari has been facing an inquiry by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) in connection with construction of tourist cottages in the Dalma hills.
Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF), Kolhan, Smitha Pankaj, also did not respond to calls seeking her comments.
The allegations regarding the construction activity and the officials’ roles could not be independently verified.
Municipal Corporation Promises to Look Into Issue
With the MNAC now upgraded to a municipal corporation, residents have sought greater scrutiny of construction activity in and around the eco-sensitive zone.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Jitendra Kumar Yadav, when contacted by The Jharkhand Story, said, “I will look into the matter soon.”
The growing construction footprint around Dalma has renewed concerns over the need to balance residential expansion with the protection of one of Jharkhand’s important elephant habitats and eco-tourism destinations.
