Jamshedpur, July 31: The state forest department has to come out with a blueprint for the overall development of the Dalma wildlife sanctuary in view of the ongoing construction work of the Subernarekha Multipurpose Project (SMP).

This directive of the Supreme Court came on Tuesday during the hearing on the affidavit filed by the state water resource department.

However, the apex court has not fixed any deadline for the blueprint and a counter affidavit.

The central empowered committee of the apex court, members of which had visited several spots of the ongoing SMP project last year, had recommended structural modifications in the construction plan of the main canal and its tributaries.

?The state forest department has to ensure the measures taken on the wake of the ongoing SMP project. The committee of the apex court is concerned with the development of the entire sanctuary area,? said sources at the state forest department.

The state forest department also has to file an affidavit with the court as the SMP authorities have not agreed to go by the recommendations of the committee, consisting of environment and wildlife experts.

Earlier, the state water resource department had submitted a detailed affidavit with the Supreme Court giving details on the structural modifications and afforestation work to be carried within the Dalma sanctuary area.

A total of 146 hectares of the sanctuary area is being affected due to the project. The Supreme Court?s central empowered committees recommendations to the SMP authorities included construction of elephant corridors, underground tunnels within the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary area and development of a eco-sensitive zone in 500-metre periphery of the Dalma?s southern boundary.

Besides, the SMP authorities have to undertake compensatory afforestation in 1,800 hectares of non-forest land in the districts of Seraikela-Kharsawan and East Singhbhum.

SMP administrator B.K. Tripathi told The Telegraph that the Union ministry of water resource department has ?principally? agreed to provide 100 per cent fund for the project, once clearance by the Supreme Court and Union ministry of environment and forests is granted.

?Adviser to the planning commission and Union water resource ministry has agreed to fund the project once the environmental hindrances are cleared. We are looking forward for the Centre?s funding,? said Tripathi.