IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Rajvanshi, A.; Mathur, V.B.; Pragatheesh, A. | |
| Ecological effects of road through sensitive habitats - Implications for wildlife conservation | |
| 2013 Full Book | |
The need to combine conservation science and practical experience of building roads for securing and enhancing connectivity between natural areas with an overarching goal of conserving biodiversity is real and instant. Steady growth in the current knowledge would assist in meeting transportation planning challenges as they relate to conservation needs. The current research was a step in this direction. The following were the objectives of this study: a) To assess the nature of ecological effects associated with roads based on the study of existing road sections aligned through or along an ecologically sensitive area. b) To predict the nature of ecological effects of a proposed road upgradation (four lanes from two lanes) project with and without mitigation measures. c) Evaluate the compliance and effectiveness of mitigation measures in the earlier implemented road project. d) Suggest effective measures for preventing road induced impacts for harmonising conservation and development. The following three different road sections were identified for conducting this study: i. National Highway NH-7 (9 km stretch) between Kurai and Gandatola villages in the State of Madhya Pradesh that is aligned along on Pench Mowgli Sanctuary and forms the eastern boundary of Pench Tiger Reserve. ii. National Highway -37(61 km stretch) running along the southern boundary of Kaziranga National Park, between Bokakhat and Ghorakati range. iii. Mumbai - Pune Expressway (83 km) traversing the Western Ghats in Maharashtra State. The study was undertaken during April 2008 - October 2012. This study suggests that the use of roadside habitat by animals was highly influenced by the water availability during dry season. The artificial water holes, created by the Forest Department along the road attract animals to use the road side habitat during the dry season (summer). This study recommends promoting better water source planning to reduce/minimize animal use of the roadside habitat by removing the water holes (hand pump) present close to the road side and creating more water holes in the interior areas along the road. |
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