Karnataka: Now, day traffic a threat to Bandipur wildlife?

Chamarajanagar: The ban on night traffic in Bandipur introduced in  2009, may have reduced animal road kills,  but  conservationists are now worried  the day time traffic through the park is  proving as  big a threat to its wildlife following the recent death of a leopard, that was run over by a truck in the Moolehole range.

While park officials are satisfied with the  results of the night ban on vehicular movement as the animal kills have fallen to 17  from 45 between 1996 and 2008, the conservationists believe there is nothing much to cheer about as several wildlife, especially the deer, continue to be killed during the day.  Blaming the road kills on drivers speeding to cross the Bandipur checkposts, one conservation pointed out that after the night traffic ban, the number of vehicles  had increased during the day in the park. “Its important that forest officials introduce effective traffic control measures, especially from 7 pm to 9 pm when vehicular density is heavy and a risk to wild animals,” he said.  

Such is the pressure on Bandipur roads that every weekend when forest officials inspect vehicles at the Mudumalai checkpost, there are traffic snarls in Bandipur, with vehicles stranded over a long distance, say park insiders.  “This hampers movement of animals and is a threat to their lives,” they agree.

Responding to the concerns of conservationists, officials, however, say speed breakers have been placed at a convenient distance from Melkamanahalli checkpost on Karnataka border to stop vehicles from speeding and being a threat to animals.