Strategy to Minimise Impacts of New. Transmission Lines A number of map-based routing options were considered for each new transmission corridor. These options were then examined during site visits. In examining the optional routes, the primary focus was on minimising impacts on human settlements, houses and other buildings, crops and trees. As present and future human settlements are likely to be focused more along A and B class public roads and in urban areas, the optional line routes studies avoided or minimised crossings of public highways and urban areas. The general guidelines followed in selecting routing options are listed below:- • Minimise disturbance to human settlements and other built-up areas • Avoid forest and wildlife reserves. Where it is not possible to avoid the line to traverse through sanctuaries, national parks, reserve forests, etc., minimise the route length through such areas • Avoid monuments of cultural or historical importance, and of religious importance • Minimise impacts to any social infrastructure and services such as playgrounds, schools and hospitals. • Avoid coconut, rubber and other plantations with high grown trees • Route the line through grasslands, xxxxx xxxxxx, tea, cinnamon, chena, shrub and marshes as much as possible to minimise damage to the tree cover, particularly in areas with tall trees. Every effort was made to comply with the above criteria but compromises were unavoidable in certain situations. Likely summary of impacts on any sanctuary, forest and wildlife reserve give below. Some of these impacts are relevant to other non-forest areas as well. • Loss of mature trees: the 27m-wide line corridor needs to be cleared of trees over 3 m in height as well as large trees adjacent to the corridor • Loss of habitat for rare birds if they are nesting on such trees • Disturbance to the soil due to uprooting of trees leading to soil erosion • Disturbing the wildlife habitat during the construction phase, mainly due to noise arising from vehicle traffic
