NHAI today said it is committed for conservation of wildlife at Kanha-Pench corridor during the upgradation of National Highway 7, the longest NH in the country passing through the area.
"It is noteworthy that completion of NH-7 has been pending on the aforesaid stretch for the last almost 10 years... Mitigation measures suggested earlier by WII and NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) were re-examined to optimise resources on the basis of scientific studies...
"...While at the same time ensuring that conservation needs are not compromised," NHAI said in a statement.
Claiming that it is fully sensitive to the requirement of wildlife conservation, NHAI said it has reviewed the subject matter of wildlife conservation vis-a-vis road construction thoroughly and is convinced that the measures finalised by the wildlife institutions will fully meet the requirement of habitat connectivity.
It said it was committed that no adverse impact was made on the flora and fauna in the area while upgrading the NH as it is being claimed that the efforts of conservationists in providing adequate mitigation measures on the said stretch have been overlooked.
"NHAI wishes to clarify that the project under question involves widening of the existing NH-7, which is the longest National Highway in the country and the lifeline for millions of people, connecting North and South India," it said adding that the mitigation measures have been finalised by premier wildlife institutes.
"The criteria that were specifically considered during the review of the design of wildlife passages include the openness ratio, height of wild animals (the height of their sensory receptors like eyes and ears), nature of animals (solitary or moving in herds), time of movement of animals (nocturnal or diurnal), geomorphological features along the highway corridor, etc," it said.
In fact, the measures being adopted in the extant case are far superior to those followed elsewhere in the World, it added.
"NHAI continues, and will continue, to work hand in hand with the Wildlife Institutions and other experts in taking care of the conservation and mitigation needs associated with highway development," the statement said.
NHAI is open to consider other effective measures, like wildlife over-crossings of different types, improvisation of cross-drainage structures for safe movement of smaller animals, guide fences, speed restrictions, cautionary sign boards, etc on any highway stretch as per the specific requirement.
