India’s first wildlife corridor on Delhi-Mumbai expressway

Dubai: India recently unveiled the country’s first wildlife corridor, which is situated over a portion of the up and coming Delhi-Mumbai expressway.

The project is the first-of-its-kind in the country and is largely directed at protecting the nearby animals and environment in the Ranthambore region.

Here’s an overview of what the project covers.

Wildlife corridors, often also referred to as green corridors, are safe passageways built to protect wildlife in areas that have been urbanised. They are typically built over highways that pass through areas with thriving wildlife and ecosystems. For instance, the current corridor in India is specifically built near the Ranthambore National Park, which is home to one of the most prominent tiger reserves in the country.

The entirety of this project is situated over a 12 kilometre long patch that features five separate wildlife corridors. These structures are elevated from the rest of the highway, acting as a bridge for wildlife to cross over. Meanwhile, most of the transit traffic will be directed via tunnels situated under the corridor.

Notably, one section also features an underpass dedicated to allow for the free-passing of larger animals. Other notable characteristics of the project include high wall boundaries and sound barriers, all aimed at enhancing the experience of the corridor for wildlife and prioritising their safety.

The project is overseen by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), alongside support from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, and the Wildlife Institute of India.

Pradeep Attri, regional officer of the NHAI, was one of the key individuals overseeing the project. He shared how the construction phase of the project required extensive care and attention, due to the surrounding wildlife.

“We are proud to say that despite being in such a sensitive zone home to tigers, bears, and various other species, not a single untoward incident occurred during the construction phase. In fact, post-construction we have captured several instances of tiger and bear movements through these passages on camera,” said Attri, as reported by ANI.

Although the specific characteristics of this corridor make it unique, there have been similar efforts in the past to protect wildlife. One key example is the Kanha-Pench underpass corridor that is aimed at safeguarding animals in both the national parks in the respective areas.

While the current wildlife corridor is completed, the rest of the highway project is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year.