Preventing Animal Deaths on Highways: Highways cutting through forested areas in India often become deadly corridors for wildlife. The article highlights a plea by wildlife organisations in West Bengal to the Forest Department, urging immediate action to prevent recurring animal deaths along highways near Gorumara National Park.

This issue is not isolated. Across India, road networks intersect with protected areas, leading to habitat fragmentation, vehicle collisions, and biodiversity loss. The plea reflects growing frustration among conservationists who believe that policy measures and enforcement remain inadequate.

2. Preventing Animal Deaths on Highways: Gorumara National Park

• Located in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, Gorumara is famous for its Indian one‑horned rhinoceros, elephants, bison, and diverse birdlife.
• The park is surrounded by tea gardens, villages, and highways, making it vulnerable to human–wildlife conflict.
• Highways near the park, especially those connecting Lataguri, Chalsa, and Malbazar, witness heavy traffic, including trucks and tourist vehicles.

The proximity of highways to forest zones creates a constant risk of animal crossings, leading to fatalities.

3. Wildlife Organisations’ Plea

The organisations have demanded:

• Speed restrictions on highways passing through forested zones.
• Installation of signboards warning drivers about wildlife crossings.
• Night traffic regulation, as most animal movements occur after dusk.
• Construction of underpasses or overpasses to allow safe crossings.
• Increased patrolling by forest guards to monitor traffic and prevent reckless driving.

Their plea is rooted in repeated incidents of elephants, leopards, and deer being killed by speeding vehicles.

4. Broader Issue: Road Ecology in India

India has one of the largest road networks in the world. While highways boost connectivity, they also fragment habitats.

Key Problems

• Wildlife mortality: Thousands of animals die annually due to road collisions.
• Habitat fragmentation: Roads divide ecosystems, isolating populations.
• Noise and pollution: Disturbs breeding and feeding patterns.
• Tourism pressure: Increased traffic in eco‑sensitive zones.

5. Case Studies in West Bengal

• Gorumara & Chapramari: Frequent elephant deaths due to train and road collisions.
• Buxa Tiger Reserve: Roads through forest corridors threaten leopards and deer.
• Sundarbans: Though less road‑dense, boat traffic poses similar risks to aquatic species.

These examples show that transport infrastructure often clashes with conservation goals.

6. Government Responsibility

The West Bengal Forest Department is tasked with protecting wildlife, but coordination with the Public Works Department (PWD) and Transport Department is essential.

Measures Needed

• Wildlife crossings: Overpasses and underpasses designed for elephants and deer.
• Speed enforcement: Cameras and fines for speeding in forest zones.
• Awareness campaigns: Educating drivers and tourists.
• Data collection: Monitoring animal deaths to design targeted interventions.

7. National Policy Framework

India has several policies addressing this issue:

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 – prohibits harm to protected species.
• Eco‑Sensitive Zone Guidelines – restricts development near protected areas.
• National Green Tribunal (NGT) rulings – have ordered restrictions on night traffic in sensitive areas.
• MoEFCC guidelines – recommend mitigation structures like underpasses.

Despite these frameworks, implementation gaps remain wide.

8. International Comparisons

Countries like the US and Canada have invested in wildlife crossings (e.g., Banff National Park in Canada). These have reduced animal deaths by over 80%. India has begun similar projects (e.g., underpasses in Madhya Pradesh for tigers), but West Bengal lags behind.

9. Ecological Consequences

Animal deaths on highways are not just individual tragedies; they threaten population viability.

• Elephants: Slow‑breeding species; each death impacts herd stability.
• Leopards: Road kills reduce already fragmented populations.
• Deer and smaller mammals: Losses affect prey–predator balance.

10. Recommendations

Based on the plea and global best practices, the following steps are critical:

• Immediate speed limits in forest stretches.
• Wildlife crossings funded jointly by Centre and state.
• Night traffic bans in sensitive corridors.
• Community involvement: Local villagers and tea garden workers can help monitor.
• Technology use: Drones and sensors to detect animal movement.

11. Conclusion

The plea by wildlife organisations is a wake‑up call. Preventing animal deaths on highways requires political will, inter‑departmental coordination, and investment in infrastructure. Gorumara’s situation reflects a larger national challenge: balancing development with conservation.

If ignored, the highways of North Bengal will continue to be death traps for wildlife, undermining India’s biodiversity commitments.

🔗 Government External Links

For further reading and verification, here are official government sources relevant to this issue:

• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC): https://moef.gov.in
• National Green Tribunal (NGT): https://greentribunal.gov.in
• West Bengal Forest Department: https://wbfdc.com
• National Wildlife Action Plan (Government of India): https://wii.gov.in
• Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH): https://morth.nic.in

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