Tiger reserve seeks traffic ban on three roads via Koka

Nagpur: In view of deaths of several wild animal in road hits, the Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) has proposed closure of three roads for traffic during night through Koka Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhandara district.
Koka (100sqkm) was notified as a sanctuary in 2013 owing to its scientific and ecological importance and has presence of rich wildlife, including resident tigers. It is now part of Navegaon-Nagzira.
The three roads — Sakoli-Tumsar, which is a state highway, passes 6km through reserve forest compartments of Koka, while Bhandara-Kardi via Paladi and Bhandara-Kardi via Salehetti passes 12km and 1.54km respectively through the sanctuary.
“Despite alternative routes available, outsiders take to these forest routes, mostly to pave way for illegally trafficking of sand from Wainganga river, wildlife sightings during night, and as short-cuts. Heavy traffic has led to wild animals’ deaths in road hits,” says a report submitted to Bhandara district collector by NNTR officials.
Koka forest connects new Nagzira and Nagzira wildlife sanctuaries and long dispersal animals like gaurs and tigers frequent these roads during night. The sanctuary also acts as a corridor between Navegaon-Nagzira and Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary.
Poonam Pate, deputy director (core) of NNTR, confirmed that she submitted a report to the district collector last month demanding a ban on night traffic on these three roads. “We have no objection to local residents, but want ban on the movement of heavy vehicles between 6pm and 6am. If wildlife protection is one issue, the traffic restrictions will also curb forest fires. There are alternative routes available and hence, the ban will not affect travellers,” she said.
On July 16, 2015, Budhana district collector, under Section 25 of Indian Forest Act, 1927, and Section 33 of the Mumbai Police Act, 1951, banned night traffic from 10pm to 5am between Buldhana-Warvand-Botha-Khamgaon passing through Dnyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary. The decision was taken after frequent wild animal deaths on the section.
The NNTR officials too have referred to Buldhana collector’s decision and urged Bhandara collector to take a similar stand on roads passing through Koka to save wildlife. However, even after a month, no meeting between the district collectorate and forest officials has been held.
Talking to TOI, Bhandara resident deputy collector Vijay Bhakre said, “We have received the NNTR’s proposal and it is under review. We are seeking opinions from other agencies like public works department (PWD). We will also consult local villagers whether the ban would affect them.”
Bhakre agreed that the roads are used by heavy tippers to transport sand and wild animals are knocked dead. “We will jointly decide the future course of action soon,” he added.