In a bid to minimise human disturbance to wildlife, the authorities plan to introduce restriction on vehicle movement through M.M. Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in due course.
This will be along the lines of existing curbs on vehicle movement from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. at Bandipur and Nagarahole that has helped reduce road kill.
Sources in the Forest Department told The Hindu that it was considering banning the movement of vehicles at night and is preparing a plan for the same. Besides, sign boards cautioning motorists of animal crossings are being prepared and would be installed as the first step. The proposal may materialise in two to three months time.
A gate to restrict the movement of vehicles after the stipulated time will also be installed. At present, State Highway 38 connecting Kollegal to Satyamangalam passes between BRT Tiger Reserve and M.M. Hills sanctuary.
The other road passing through Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is used mainly by tourists and locals to reach Sangama and Mekedatu.
Welcoming the proposal, a wildlife activist on the condition of anonymity said the road cutting through the sanctuary was too close to the Edayarhalli-Doddasampige elephant corridor which was critical for the movement of elephants and wildlife.
However, he added that a total ban during the night may not be required given the traffic density unlike in Bandipur. Instead speed restrictions, barricading, and road humps could be sufficient for the time being.
However, sources said wildlife was affected by traffic movement that also hindered animal migration and hence a night traffic ban was being seriously contemplated.
Both M.M. Hills and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuaries are relatively new compared to Bandipur which was declared a tiger reserve back in 1973.
In view of the wildlife population and potential to increase numbers, it was imperative to bring a restriction on traffic movement, sources said. There are about 30 enclosures or human settlements within the forests and the local community would be provided with an ID card to facilitate their free movement.
Lax security?
There is growing concern over the perceived laxity on the part of the officials manning the check post at Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. Wildlife activists allege that the check post at Bendagodu, used by people reaching Sangama and Mekedatu (also Chunchi Falls), is neither manned nor closed at night.
“This part of the sanctuary has and is witnessing many poaching incidents and is the same check post which was attacked and destroyed by local villagers after a poacher was killed in an encounter,” an activist said.
Though there is a restriction on vehicle movement through this check post, it is not managed and many other gates like this are kept open through the night.
When contacted, the officials said patrolling would be stepped up, anti-poaching camps strengthened and check posts would be upgraded to prevent vehicle movement.