Chamarajanagar: The Union Government’s proposed elevated road project on NH 766 passing through the Maddur and Moolehole ranges of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve will prove dangerous for wildlife, fear environmental activists.
They say that there are chances of animals such as monkeys and leopards, both good climbers, getting killed on the elevated road by the speeding vehicles.
As per the proposed project, the 18-km elevated stretch will have five flyovers, each of 1-km long, and rest of the road will have a steel fence on either side. The idea is to open the stretch for traffic at night, which has been banned between 9 pm and 6 am for unhindered movement of wild animals. The ban came into force during 2009-10 on roads leading to Ooty and Wayanad via Bandipur National Park.
Wildlife enthusiast Sreekanta says the proposed project will destroy the natural pathways of animals. Taking part in a protest against the proposed project at Maddur Gate on Saturday, conservationist Tanuja finds no reason for the Centre to propose an elevated corridor in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, citing ban on night traffic. The road will be opened for traffic if there is any medical emergency. Moreover, there is an alternative road for travellers to reach their destinations. “We appeal to the Centre not to tax wild animals anymore,” she says.
Meanwhile, officials in the Ministry of Forests and Environment told Deccan Chronicle that the state government had rejected the proposal stating that movement of vehicles at night via Bandipur would disturb wildlife in the sensitive tiger reserve.
