Proposed mitigation measures for maintaining habitat contiguity and reducing wild animal mortality on NH6 and 7 in the Central Indian Landscape

Abstract

Central India is considered to be the heart of India’s wildlife. It is home to some of India’s largest forest tracts, rich wildlife as well as indigenous people. It is also recognized by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, Government of India as a region with one of the best potentials for long-term tiger conservation. It harbours about 688 numbers of tigers in 19 tiger reserves (Jhala et al., 2015). Other than the tiger (Panthera tigris), the faunal diversity includes some of the most charismatic and endangered species such as the leopard (Panthera pardus), sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), gaur (Bos gaurus) and the hard ground swamp deer (Cervus duvaucelli). The tiger reserves and protected areas are connected by wildlife corridors falling outside the Protected Area network. These corridors can provide crucial connectivity and allow the free movement of tigers and other wildlife from one forest area to another, thereby connecting ‘source’ populations and ensuring demographic and genetic viability. This connectivity is also important to maintain the habitat quality of these contiguous forests for the other faunal species of the landscape. Any infra-structure development in this landscape should therefore consider the importance of the need to maintain connectivity between these animal populations. To identify specific animal crossing zones on NH-7 (Maharashtra and MP) and NH-6 (Maharashtra) passing through vital wildlife corridors and to suggest feasible locations for making underpasses and their dimensions, and in the light of these findings, review the earlier proposed mitigation measures. ii. To evaluate the barrier effect on different animal species due to factors such as road type (2 and 4-lane), traffic heterogeneity, traffic volume, vehicle speed and species characteristics at current traffic volume .