Ambika Sharma Solan, September 11 The NTPC has finally submitted a proposal for the diversion of additional 124 hectares of land falling in the Majathal Wildlife Sanctuary for its 800 MW Kol Dam Project, following a tough stand by the state government. Earlier, the NTPC had obtained the permission for merely 954 hectares of land, while conveniently excluding the protected area falling in the wildlife sanctuary. With nearly 46,000 trees of various broad leaf species, its net present value (NPV) was estimated at Rs 56 crore now. This delay in seeking the permission would cost the project an additional burden of nearly Rs 40 crore as the Chief Empowered Committee (CEC) of the apex court has recently hiked the NPV rates for sanctuary areas. The fresh rates were five times the rates for non-sanctuary area. Confirming the receipt of proposal from the NTPC, DFO wildlife Nagesh Guleria said the NTPC had submitted a proposal on August 27. The case would now be put up before the State Wildlife Board, and, later, the National Wildlife Board. It would then be sent to the CEC for approval. It would be finally placed before the apex court for formal approval to divert the sanctuary land. Once this approval is received, the case for seeking clearance under the Forest Conservation Act and Wildlife Protection Act would be sent to the Centre. Had the Forest Department and project officials presented the correct picture, it would have saved both time and money, officials in the department said. Earlier, the Forest Department had concealed the fact that 124 hectares of land falling in the wildlife sanctuary was to be submerged in the Kol Dam Project in 2004. It was after a PIL filed by a NGO following news reports of The Triune that the Supreme Court