Indian Environment Ministry Bans Mobile Towers in Tiger Habitats
The Indian Environment Ministry has issued strict guidelines regarding cell towers in tiger critical habitat across the country. While providing connectivity to the people residing within or near wildlife-rich areas, “the protection and conservation of wildlife habitats should not be affected” by such installations.
This decision comes in the wake of a growing number of proposals for cell towers in wildlife areas such as national parks, sanctuaries, tiger reserves, and corridors. However cell towers emit RF radiation well associated with a broad range of harmful health effects in animals.
The Ministry stated that core critical tiger habitat should be avoided for the installation of cell towers. The order was issued to the chief wildlife wardens of all states and union territories and the Ministry of communications.
The guidelines also mandate that new towers should not be installed within one kilometer of existing towers to avoid overlapping radiation and stringent measures must be put in place to ensure that tower installations do not disrupt the flight paths of birds or cause an increase in radiation levels.
The ministry has also recommended public disclosure of the locations and frequencies of cell tower transmissions, and monitoring the impact on wildlife, particularly birds and bees.
“We applaud the recent conservation efforts of the Environment Ministry to restrict cell towers in ecologically sensitive areas. It is critical that countries enact policies to reduce wireless radiation to as low as possible. Safeguards are urgently needed to protect biodiversity,” stated Theodora Scarato, Executive Director of the Environmental Health Trust who highlighted the scientific evidence on wireless impacts to wildlife compiled at wildlifeandwireless.org. Environmental Health Trust has a campaign to contact local officials well as the United Nations Environment Program in addressing the environmental impacts of wireless radiation.
Communications Today: Environment ministry bans mobile tower installation in core tiger Habitats
