In its proposal submitted to an Environment Ministry panel, BSF had asked for diversion of nearly 80 hectares of forest land in Gujarat's Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary and Wild Ass Sanctuary. This would make way to build the "strategically important" Hajipur-Odma-Khavda-Kunariya- Dholavira-Maovana-Gadakbet-Santalpur road.
The issue was discussed during a meeting of the recent Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan. All non-official members, majority of them conservationists, were unanimous in opposing the road, saying it would affect the habitat of flamingos and wild asses.
The BSF informed the panel that the new road was necessary as "a large area of the Rann of Kutch was marshy, slushy, salty and inaccessible and that there were only two roads available for approaching the forward post".
Drawing the attention of the panel to the unique and rare wildlife of the region, particularly the Flamingo City, NBWL member Prerna Bindra argued that the road would devastate the only breeding ground for the two species of flamingos found in India.
The entire population of flamingos in the Indian subcontinent is dependent on this sanctuary for nesting, she said, adding that there was a need for providing adequate protection to biodiversity in the Kutch region.
Other members, Divyabhanusinh Chavda and M K Ranjitsinh, emphasised that if the road is allowed to be built, it would mean the end of the breeding grounds of flamingos.
It would also cut through Tangri Bet, the only refuge of the relict population of wild asses in the Great Rann of Kutch, an area which forms the International Border between India and Pakistan.
Officials said the areas are nearly 50 km from the border with Pakistan.
The matter has been deferred for a detailed discussion. (MORE)
