Also Read: Maharashtra: Who cares about wildlife in fast lane?

An MSRDC official said, “While constructing the Samruddhi Expressway, mitigation measures were suggested by WII and the Maharashtra forest department, which were implemented. We have signed an MOU with WII to see if the mitigation measures like wildlife underpasses and overpasses are being used or not. Camera traps will be installed to monitor if wild animals are using the mitigation measures. If, at some places, animals are not using them, we will study what can be done to ensure that they do.”

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Time and again, authorities have been claiming that the 701-km-long expressway was planned in such a way that wildlife faces no threat. There are a total of nine green overpasses and 17 underpasses for wild animals. To minimise accidents and prevent animals from entering the highway corridor, the MSRDC has prohibited the planting of 13 varieties of fruit trees that attract wildlife.

After the expressway was inaugurated, mid-day reported how wild animals and stray dogs were getting killed on the highway while crossing it.  Sources from MSRDC had told this newspaper that animals suddenly coming onto the highway were also resulting in vehicular accidents. In January, more than 10 wild boars died on the highway. Later, a video of three Nilgai crossing the stretch also went viral. In the clip, which was shot by a motorist, the Nilgai can be seen jumping over crash barriers installed on the median and the side of the highway.

What experts say

Wildlife Conservationist Kedar Gore from the Corbett Foundation said, “Monitoring will provide data on the usage and efficacy of these mitigation structures. But how will this prevent mishaps on sections where mitigation measures were not implemented? Looking at the wildlife accidents so far, it is obvious that the mitigation measures are proving to be inadequate. Therefore, the potential stretches along the entire Samruddhi Highway should be monitored to assess the extent of wildlife accidents, and based on this data, the government should strive to make additional mitigation to prevent wildlife deaths and accidents as much as possible.”

Bittu Sahgal, editor, Sanctuary Asia, said “Under and overpasses are inevitable and vital when we are presented with fait accompli! But after serving for 15 years on India’s Ministry of Environment, Infrastructure Expert Committees, I believe that the Ministry of Surface Transport tends to disregard suggestions for even minor alignment changes, such as bypasses, to avoid damaging irreplaceable ecological infrastuctures such as wetlands and forests that linear projects blindly obliterate.”

MSRDC and WII sign MoU to monitor the Samruddhi expressway

Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to monitor the newly constructed Samruddhi expressway, India's first green highway. The MoU was signed in the month of April 2023, at the headquarters of MSRDC in Mumbai and WII Dehradun.

The Samruddhi Mahamarg (expressway) constructed between Nagpur and Mumbai is going to be the first highway in India with wildlife bridges (overpasses) and underpasses for wild animal movements.

The WII will be responsible for monitoring and assessing effectiveness of the mitigation measures. WII, an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Government of India, has been associated with MSRDC during the planning and construction phase of the expressway for providing relevant expertise. Now, WII would monitor the underpasses and overpasses use by wildlife during the operational phase of the expressway.

The proposed alignment did not cross through any existing protected area of the state. However, the Authority pre-planned to provide specific movement corridors throughout the alignment facilitating connectivity of the wildlife population in between and beyond protected area network. In addition to a 300-meter-long underpass in the Bor-Umred tiger corridor region, the project is building nine wildlife overpasses for the first time in India.

Planning of the Wildlife Mitigation Measures on Samruddhi Expressway

WII was involved in the project prior to the construction of the expressway and conducted literature reviews and field surveys from August 2018 to May 2019 to identify potential wildlife movement hotspots. Based on further analysis of the data, WII provided exact locations of the wildlife-friendly mitigation structures along with the suitable dimensions.

The WII suggested mitigation measures for the Samruddhi expressway have been instrumental in creating an effective green linear infrastructure, specifically animal crossing structures. A total of 1,797 crossing structures were planned for construction, out of which 295 are exclusively within high priority wildlife areas. 

Monitoring of the Wildlife Mitigation Measures

The MoU between WII and MSRDC is aimed at monitoring the use of these wildlife-friendly mitigation structures to evaluate their effectiveness. The study will also inform the reasons for animals avoiding some structures, thus helping to improve their usefulness for wildlife. WII will be associated with MSRDC during all phases of the project, including planning, construction, and operational phases.

The responsibilities of WII under the MoU include conducting a study on the "Monitoring for wildlife underpasses and overpasses during operation phase of the expressway". The scope of work during the entire period of assignment would be to undertake field surveys to determine the extent of wildlife presence and monitor temporal variation in the use of wildlife underpasses and overpasses during the operational phase of the expressway for a period of five years. 

The efficacy of mitigation measures (underpasses and overpasses) for use by different animal species in relation to surrounding vegetation characteristics, landscape features, and temporal patterns of wildlife movement will also be determined. 

WII will also analyse the data collected to inform the improvements needed to the existing wildlife-friendly mitigation structures and suggest additional measures, if necessary.

EXPERT QUOTES:

Radheshyam Mopalwar, IAS (Retd), Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, said, "We have collaborated with Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for providing relevant expertise during the planning and construction phase of the Samruddhi expressway. With the signing of this MoU, we have taken another step towards our commitment to protecting the natural heritage of Maharashtra and wildlife conservation. The monitoring of the newly constructed Samruddhi expressway will provide invaluable insights into the effectiveness of the wildlife-friendly mitigation measures suggested by WII. We are pleased to have WII on board for the successful implementation of this project."

Virendra Tiwari, Director, Wildlife Institute of India, said, "We are delighted to be associated with the Samruddhi expressway project. The Wildlife Institute of India has been at the forefront of wildlife research and conservation for several decades, and this collaboration is a testament to our commitment to protecting our natural heritage. The construction of animal crossing structures is an important step towards mitigating the impact of roads on wildlife. However, it is equally important to monitor the effectiveness of these structures to ensure that they are used by wildlife. We look forward to working with MSRDC to make the Samruddhi expressway a model project for green linear infrastructure."

Dr. Bilal Habib, Scientist, Wildlife Institute of India, who along with his team had suggested the mitigation measures for the Samruddhi expressway, said, "The Samruddhi expressway is a unique project that has set a benchmark for sustainable development in India. The construction of animal crossing structures such as underpasses and overpasses is a crucial step towards mitigating the impact of the highway on wildlife. Our team has worked tirelessly to identify the potential wildlife movement hotspots and recommend suitable mitigation measures. We are delighted to be associated with the project and look forward to monitoring the use of these structures by wildlife."

What is Green Linear Infrastructure, and why do we need wildlife crossing structures?

Green linear infrastructure refers to the use of natural systems such as trees, shrubs, and other vegetation to create corridors that connect habitats and provide wildlife with safe passages across roads and other barriers. These corridors can be created alongside highways or other linear infrastructure, providing essential connectivity for plants and animals. 

Wildlife crossings are structures that allow animals to safely crossroads and other barriers without risking injury or death. These can take the form of underpasses, overpasses, or other structures designed to accommodate different types of wildlife.

Wildlife crossings have been shown to be highly effective in reducing the number of animal-vehicle collisions, which can have a devastating impact on both wildlife and human safety. By providing safe passages for wildlife, these structures can help maintain healthy populations of animals and preserve biodiversity in the surrounding ecosystem.

However, the implementation of green linear infrastructure and wildlife crossings requires careful planning and design. The location and design of these structures must be based on an understanding of the local ecosystem and the specific needs of the wildlife that inhabit it. In addition, ongoing monitoring and maintenance of these structures is essential to ensure their long-term effectiveness.

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No of underpasses for animals on e-way