Chamarajnagar: While traders in Kerala are keen on lifting the night traffic ban through the Bandipur National Park, an NGO from Wayanad has come out in its support, arguing that it is in the interest of the wildlife it protects.
In a memorandum to the Supreme Court constituted committee to look into the demand for lifting of the night traffic ban, Mr N Badhushah of the Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshana Samiti says the man-animal conflict in the Wayand region has drastically fallen after its imposition in February, 2009.
Pointing out that the vehicles going through the park cause pollution and disturb its wildlife, Mr Badhushah says the night ban particularly helps the slow moving and ground dwelling species such as the mouse deer, striped neck mongoose, ruddy mongoose, porcupines, small Indian civet, brown palm civet as well as larger animals like the elephant, tiger and leopard.
He also notes that the people of Wayanad have become accustomed to the night ban and there is no reason for them to travel to Karnataka via Bandipur National Park because they can easily go to Kozhikode and Ernakulam for emergency medical care. Besides, the people have access to quality education in Wayanad and surrounding districts. Arguing that the wild animals too are now used to the night traffic ban, he warns that any changes could result in even more road kills than before.
