The approval for the improvements to National Highway 4A – connecting Belagavi to Panaji – that passes through sensitive Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve without “meaningful” mitigation measures, that included the State government’s suggestion of a night-time ban, has come as a disappointment for wildlife activists.
In the recent meeting, the standing committee of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) had approved the diversion of nearly 16 acres of forest land, including the felling of 1,127 trees, for widening of the buffer space around the road. Nearly two metre will be added along the 84.124-km road.
“We had suggested a number of mitigation measures for the project, including the night-time ban on vehicular movement. But, this has not been agreed upon,” said Vinay Luthra, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), adding that at the minimum, culverts and small underpasses should be made to ensure smaller animal species do not become roadkill.
However, the mitigation measures for the proposed improvements are frugal at best. No underpasses have been proposed, while only installation of speed breakers and signage warning of wildlife are included as mitigation measures.
“The entire stretch is mountainous section and underpasses cannot be built…Currently, owing to the ban on mining in Ballari, traffic movement is reduced. In case vehicles increase, we can think of other mitigation measures,” said P.S. Somasekhar, Inspector-General of Forests, National Tiger Conservation Authority, who submitted an inspection report to the NBWL.
‘Death trap’
Wildlife activist Giridhar Kulkarni said road widening will become a “death trap” for wild animals. According to information obtained under RTI Act from the Forest Department, Mr. Kulkarni says nearly 50 large animals, including gaur, leopard, sloth bear, sambar, chital, and langur, have been killed on the roads in the region over the past six years.
“Smaller fauna such as civet, leopard cat, jungle cat among others are normally unrecorded. If the headcount of other reptiles and amphibians are accounted for, the number reaches dismal proportions,” he said.
Environmental activist Santosh K. had demanded a night-time ban on vehicles on all State and National Highways passing through the park.
We had suggested night ban on traffic as a mitigation measure. This is not necessary if there are adequate number of underpasses and culverts for smaller animals to migrate
Vinay Luthra,Principal Chief Conservator
of Forests (Wildlife)
If increased animal deaths are noticed and vehicular traffic rises, then night ban can be considered. This is an important road connecting Karnataka to Goa; NHAI says it must be improved
P.S. Somasekhar,Inspector-General of Forests, National Tiger Conservation Authority
While death toll is conspicuous, what’s not evident is the indirect impact of linear fragmentations. Migratory paths is broken… Moreover, there are alternative roads connecting Belagavi to Goa
Giridhar Kulkarni,wildlife activist
