(IN): Reprieve for Kaziranga: Expansion of NH-37 halted

[Guest guest]

Link: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=aug1908/at05

 

Reprieve for Kaziranga: Expansion of NH-37 halted

Staff reporter

GUWAHATI, Aug 18 – The decision of the Centre to call off the proposed

expansion of an 80-km stretch of NH-37 running through the Kaziranga

National Park is being viewed as a welcome development that augurs well for

the Park's future conservation prospects. The Centre's decision comes after

the State Government had opposed the move to extend the four-laning of NH-37

along its stretch through Kaziranga on the ground that the resultant

manifold increase in the volume and speed of traffic would imperil the

wildlife of the famed Park, which also a World Heritage Site.

 

" The Centre has taken the decision not to upgrade the Kaziranga portion of

NH-37 following our opposition. This comes as a big relief for the wildlife,

given its high incidence of road accident mortality in the area, " Chief

Wildlife Warden, Assam, MC Malakar told *The Assam Tribune*.

 

On an average around 55 animals of Kaziranga are killed by speeding vehicles

on NH- 37 every year. Conversion of that stretch into a four-lane express

highway would have posed a greater threat to animals, particularly during

the annual floods, when the Park witnesses large-scale animal migration to

the highlands across the highway.

 

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee had also expressed serious concern over

the proposed upgradation of the Kaziranga portion of NH-37, terming it a

" potential threat to the integrity " of the Park.

 

The Heritage Committee, in its 32nd report last month, noted that " upgrading

the national highway will transform the already problematic road crossing

into an impossible barrier for the wildlife of the property. "

 

The State Government had earlier come up with an alternative proposal for

diversion of traffic of heavy and commercial vehicles through NH-52 on the

north bank of the Brahmaputra.

 

As per new arrangements, there would be no upgradation of the 80-km stretch

connecting Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat along NH-37 passing through a number

of animal corridors of the World Heritage Site.

 

" As per our proposal, the traffic (heavy and commercial vehicles) would be

diverted from Koliabor (Kolia Bhomora bridge) to the north bank and will run

past Jamuguri and Gohpur before joining NH-37 at Numaligarh through a new

bridge, " Malakar said.

 

The State Government, while opposing the highway expansion move, had

consulted renowned wildlife experts from across the world for overcoming the

new challenges in the management of the heritage site. The experts had

identified increasing traffic flow on the highway passing through the Park

as the biggest challenge to the animals and the rich biodiversity of

Kaziranga.

 

--

United against elephant polo

http://www.stopelephantpolo.com

http://www.freewebs.com/azamsiddiqui