The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways takes all steps necessary for Wildlife protection as prescribed by National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). Major steps taken by the Ministry of Environment & Forest (which is the nodal Ministry for Wildlife Protection) to avoid such incidents.
On the MP/MH-Seoni Section of NH-7 – 1400 meter elevated corridor, 500 meter 02 number, 300 meter 01 number, 120 meter 01 number and rest 10 number 100 meter to 30 meter. Noise barrier / anti light glare on all structures.
MP/MH Border to Mansar Section of NH-7 -3 Animal underpasses, 6 other structures, 15 Minor bridges and 66 Culverts.
They are as follows:
- Ministry through its Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) namely ‘Project Tiger’, ‘Project Elephant’ and ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats (DWH)’ provides funds to States and UTs for carrying out various activities for habitat improvement works namely restoration of natural water bodies, creation of artificial ponds, waterholes, augmenting food/fodder sources at various places within Protected Areas to minimize the human animal conflict.
- Ministry has issued advisory to States/UTs for submission of proposals for diversion within the protected areas and Eco-sensitive Zones along with animal passage plan prepared on the basis of guidelines prepared by Wildlife Institute of India, namely, Eco-friendly Measures to Mitigate Impacts of Linear Infrastructure on Wildlife. The guidelines suggest for modifications in the designs of the linear infrastructures by way of providing eco-friendly structure which will ensure safe movement of wildlife across these linear infrastructures.
- A network of Protected Areas namely viz., National Park, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves covering important wildlife habitat have been created all over the country under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to conserve wild animals and their habitats.
- Construction/erecting of physical barriers, such as barbed wire fence, solar powered electric fence, bio-fencing using cactus, boundary wall etc. to prevent the entry of wild animals into crop field.
- An advisory on handling human-wildlife conflict has been issued by the Ministry to all States on 06.02.2021 which suggests various measures that may be adopted by States for handling human-wildlife conflict. These include coordinated interdepartmental action, formation of State and district level committees, identification of conflict hot spots, adherence to Standard Operating Procedures, and establishment of rapid response teams.
Development activities on National Highways (NHs) passing through wild Life Sanctuaries / National Parks are generally avoided and wherever possible a bypass/detour is proposed so that there is minimum impact of highways on the wildlife habitat. If it is absolutely unavoidable then all necessary clearances required under statutory norms are obtained before any work is undertaken in such areas and measures are taken as per the manuals and guidelines of Forest and Wildlife Authorities and relevant IRC codes. The various measures that are taken include installation of road signs, speed calming measures, provision for construction of cattle/animal under pass (CUP/AUP) at pre-defined locations, fencing at the edge of Right of Way, etc.
