The Karnataka High Court had banned night traffic, between the hours of 9 PM and 6 AM, through the two national highways that cut through Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The Karnataka Forest Department had provided evidence that wildlife including elephants and tigers were being regularly killed after being run over by vehicles and were also being driven out of the forest due to sound and light disturbance. Based on these evidences, the High Court had passed the order. However, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has written a later on September 26th, asking the forest department to provide evidence that the ban is in the interests of the public as well as wildlife conservation. It has also indicated that it may approach the Supreme Court to get the order revoked.
While the matter is pending, the death of a three-month-old calf has come as a shock to wildlife lovers. This happened at 7pm on Oct 6, 2011 on NH 212, Moolehole range, Bandipur when a speeding truck heading towards Gundlupet in Karnataka hit the calf. Read report in Deccan Herald here.
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Older Comments 1
Dear sir,
Day time and night time traffic does not make much of a difference when its in a wild life corridor, In fact day time traffic will be much more disturbing to the wildlife due to irresponsible and insensitive tourism.i will post a few photos of proof soon.