Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Impact of Existing National and State Highways on Wild Animals of Pench and Satpura Tiger Reserve

S Fellows, GD Sharma, Anjana Fellows and Inbesat Khan

The influence of traffic highway on the activities of wild animals along the NH-7 & NH-69 between periods of 1996 to 2008 was studied. These Highways are important for transportation and traveling for Madhya Pradesh state from economic point of view, where NH-69 connects Bhopal-Chhindwara-Nagpur while NH-7 connects Nagpur to Jabalpur. The results of the undertaken studies showed that there occur a large number of accidents by motor vehicle round the year which results in a great loss to the wild life and thereby reducing population variability and genetic diversity thus ultimately disturbing the ecological equilibrium. Furthermore, it also creates a serious hazard to the existing flora and fauna of the area by emission of toxic contaminants like heavy metals, dust, smoke which results in different type of pollutions. The constructed highways create barrier effect and destroy natural habitat by reducing communication, foraging, reproduction etc. Due to existence of these highways the animals not only dissuade themselves from crossing road but also restrict themselves to make their habitat near by the highways, so the mitigating techniques and all the preventive measures should be taken to reduce habitat fragmentation and the eco system losses