Traffic will not be permitted on six corridors that are used by animals as they move from one section of the park to another during hours identified as peak wildlife activity periods - from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day. The corridors are Kanchanjuri-Burapahar (4 km), East Haldibari-Bagori (2.82 km), Borjuri-Panbari (4.40 km), Burapahar-Deosur Nala (2.5 km), Amguri East (300 metres), Amguri West (1 km), and a canopy for gibbon crossing near Kukrakata.
The Assam forest department identified the first four corridors, and the others were selected by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. On March 20, the Assam government informed the National Green Tribunal, headed by Swatanter Kumar, that it is doing its best to ensure that animals are not killed or injured by traffic passing through Kaziranga. In addition to banning traffic during the proscribed times, it will put cameras in the six sections of NH 37 to determine whether traffic is exceeding the speed limit of 40 kmph and that there are no overloaded vehicles on the road.
The National Green Tribunal also directed the state to immediately release funds already set aside by the Centre for protection and “improvement" of Kaziranga National Park. The NTCA had approved nearly Rs. 7.09 crore on August 26, 2013 as the first installment of the central share toward grants-in-aid to Kaziranga Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger, but the funds have still not been released by the Assam state government.
Do Wildlife Corridors Need Protection.
Author: Jennifer Scarlott.
