BHUBANESWAR: Renewed concerns over wildlife and environment may put a brake on the Brutanga irrigation project in Nayagarh district which was accorded stage-I forest clearance by the Centre a few days back. Barely a few days after giving in- principle nod for diversion of a patch of forest land, the Environment Ministry is reported to be having second thoughts on the proposed project. The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) under the Environment Ministry will meet tomorrow to discuss the issues pertaining to the project entailing diversion of 1,524.17 hectares of forest land. The need to deliberate on the proposed project came after it was felt that the proposed submergence area falls adjacent to the Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary as well as Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Orissa. The Environment and Forest Ministry had accorded stage-I forest clearance to the irrigation project with several conditions, including commissioning of detailed studies on wildlife management and its impact on the large number of tribals residing in the region. Sources in the Ministry said it was also noted that the proposed canal (connecting Brutanga Reservoir and Kuanria Reservoir) is being regularly used by elephants during their transit from the north bank of the river Mahanadi to south bank of the river and vice versa. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had announced on August 31 that based on the recommendation of a forestry panel and also in view of the fact that this is an irrigation project which would benefit thousands of farmers in Orissa, the ministry has accorded the stage-I clearance to the project. But as a large tribal population besides wildlife will be affected due to the project, the FAC might have second thoughts on the