Assam govt. moves to check hit-and-runs at Kaziranga

Tells NGT of plan to install automated sensors to prevent animal deaths; tenders to be issued within a month

GUWAHATI, 09-04-2012: In this file photo a group of one horned Rhino is seen in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district of Assam state. Assam has recorded an increase of 304 rhinos in total population over the past three years. The figures of the just concluded 2012 rhino census have revealed presence of total 2505 rhinos as against total 2201 rhinos found during 2009 rhino census. Of the total 2505 rhinos Kaziranga National Park (KNP) recorded 2290 rhinos followed by Orang National Park with 100 rhinos. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary recorded presence of 93 rhinos while Manas National Park recorded 22 rhinos received by the park through translocations of rhinos from Kaziranga and Pobitora under the Indian Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020 programme. Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar

The Assam government on Wednesday informed the National Green Tribunal that the State government had sanctioned a sum of ₹11 crore for the installation of sensor-operated automated traffic barriers to check the death of animals in road accidents close to the Kaziranga National Park.

Upon the State government submitting that the tenders will be issued within a month after the Assembly’s approval, the Bench headed by judicial member Jawad Rahim said, “We direct that the undertaking given by the Assam government be complied with and the tenders issued within four weeks.”

The directions came while the tribunal was hearing a plea filed by wildlife activist Rohit Choudhary, who opposed the widening of NH-37 which passes along the national park.

Speed limit

Earlier, the green panel had rejected the Assam government’s proposal of deploying manpower instead of installing the sensor-operated automated traffic barriers to curb the deaths. The tribunal said that except budgetary constraints, there was no reason for the government to deploy manpower instead of sensors.

The green panel had also said that any vehicle that surpassed the 40 km speed limit would be liable to pay an environmental compensation of ₹5,000 apart from the fine under the Motor Vehicles Act.