Assam environmentalist writes to PM about Kaziranga II VYGR

An environmentalist and RTI activist from Assam has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealing to him to take action against the rampant construction activities taking place near the animal corridor on National Highway (NH)-37 along Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR). He claimed that the requirements set forth by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), whose chairperson is the prime minister, are being broken by the construction project that is currently underway.

Strict guidelines had previously been set by the NBWL for the improvement and expansion of the 85.675-kilometer roadway that connects Kaliabor and Numaligarh. In his letter, Choudhury alleged that the Assam government was disobeying the NBWL's orders, especially in the crucial months of June through September when the monsoon and flooding caused animal corridors to be at their busiest. The terms stipulated that from June to September, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would not conduct any construction operations on animal corridors.

According to reports, he wrote in his letter that "construction in the Haldhibari wildlife corridor commenced in June 2024, contrary to NBWL's specific instructions."

Additionally, the NBWL declared that automatic speed detection sensors will be installed for speed management and that expansion construction on the national highway should not harm wild animals or their habitat.

The NGT ordered the installation of a speed-sensing camera with Automatic Number Plate Recognizing (ANPR) Radar at Maloni, which lies opposite Burapahar Tea Estate, in the Hatidandi/Kanchanjuri Corridor in 2017. However, the camera vanished inexplicably in 2021 and was never established again. Speeding vehicles, have made the corridor a death trap for wildlife, Choudhury continued. In addition, he demanded that relevant officials face consequences for breaking the terms of NBWL.

Environmentalists and wildlife advocates are deeply concerned about this matter, fearing lasting harm to the natural habitats and corridors that are vital to the survival of endangered species in the Kaziranga ecosystem.

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