Highway Tiger killings

What is the issue?

Wildlife Institute of India estimates that tigers in Indian reserves face destructive impact of roads and traffic.

What is the recent incident?

• Bajirao, one of India’s breeding tigers from the Bor reserve, was killed in a highway hit and run accident recently.
• Bor Tiger Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary located in Wardha District of Maharashtra.
• Bor Tiger Reserve is one among the 'Satellite core area', which gives special focus on tiger protection.
• This incident highlights the absence of scientific advice to keep highways out of wildlife corridors.
• Recent study in Kanha-Pench tiger reserve corridor in Maharashtra also found that a national highway could block flow of genes between regions.

What are the possible measures?

• The Centre and the National Highways Authority of India have been repeatedly advised to realign or modify sensitive roads.

•  The National Tiger Conservation Authority should insist on modification of existing roads to provide under tunnel crossings for animals.
• Users can be asked to pay a small price for the protection of vital environmental features.
• This would ensure that tigers and other animals are not isolated, and can disperse strong genetic traits to other populations.
• Curbs could be imposed on traffic on existing roads passing through sanctuaries.
• There could also be speed restraints and limitations like allowing only escorted convoys, with a ban on private vehicular movement at night.

Source: The Hindu