14 DAY TRIAL // The Border Security Force in India recently made it public news that it is planning on building a new patrol road along the Mizoram-Bangladesh border. Apparently, such a measure is needed on account of improving on national security.
However, representatives of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife argue that the patrol road will keep the animals living in the Dampa Tiger Reserve from moving as freely as they did in the past.
Seeing how said reserve is presently Mizoram's biggest wildlife sanctuary, but that national security is also important, it comes as no surprise that Jayanthi Natarajan from India's environment ministry argues that this is indeed “an extremely sensitive matter.”
More so since it is a well-known fact that the Dampa Tiger Reserve is presently home to countless plant and animal species, and every disturbance of the natural balance established in this ecosystem might lead to severe consequences on biodiversity.
Times of India informs us that, out of the wildlife park's total surface of 550 square kilometers (about 212 square miles), the Border Security Force would require that 15,2 square kilometers (roughly 5,9 square miles) fall under its jurisdiction, so that the road and its additional constructions are built.
As a solution to this problem, members of the National Board for Wildlife argued that the road should be built outside the park's fence, but those in charge of border security went against this proposal claiming that doing so would only violate international regulations.
This is not the first time when national security and wildlife preservation go against one another. Thus, it hasn't been long since we talked about US's going through a very similar dilemma.
Back then, we elaborated on how improving on the border with Mexico and Canada would result in 160 kilometers (100 miles) of natural habitats being taken away from the animals.
We still believe that, although national security is not something to be toyed with, due consideration must also be given to protecting what is left of our wild ecosystems.