Conservationists Call for Wildlife Protection Over Tiger Reserve Road Project

Quick Summary

• Repair and re-laying work on the Vazhaithottam-Anaikatty road through the buffer zone of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve will commence soon, according to officials.
• The road spans 14 km and cuts through habitats of endangered wildlife species, such as tigers, elephants, striped hyenas, four-horned antelope, and critically endangered vultures.
• A dispute between the Forest department and District Rural development Agency (DRDA) regarding the road width delayed progress.Road width has been capped at three metres except for slight expansions around curves for safety.
• Nilgiris Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru noted temporary delays due to temple festivals in the region but confirmed limited vehicular traffic outside festival periods.
• Conservationists expressed concerns over potential habitat disturbances caused by the roadwork and underscored wildlife protection during vulture-nesting seasons.
• Deputy Director of MTR P. Arunkumar stated that safety measures such as speed breakers every 400 meters, reptile crossing pathways beneath roads, and strict enforcement of speed limits (30 km/hr) would protect wildlife during operations.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This project highlights a complex balance between infrastructural development for local communities and conservation priorities in ecologically sensitive areas. While ensuring connectivity is critical for residents in villages bordering protected zones like Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, safeguards are imperative to mitigate impacts on fragile ecosystems hosting endangered species. The inclusion of conservation-oriented measures-like reptile crossings and strict speed control-demonstrates efforts toward minimizing harm.

Though, concerns raised by environmental experts underscore potential risks if construction timing overlaps with critical animal breeding periods or leads to increased human activity disturbing natural habitats. Further extensions beyond current plans might compound these pressures significantly.

Ultimately, how carefully planned such projects are will determine whether infrastructure can coexist sustainably with conservation goals in India’s vital biodiversity hotspots. Vigilance from both authorities and stakeholders will be crucial in balancing developmental aspirations with ecological stewardship.

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