In a unique initiative meant to keep away poachers and prevent roadkills of animals, state forest department and Kolhapur police will close a 21-km stretch of thickly-forested road at night in Kolhapur district during the monsoons. The decision was taken after reports of poaching and reptiles and roadkills at night surfaced. While protected areas like some wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are off-bounds during the monsoons, this area, which forms part of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, is not a protected habitat. It is close to the Chandoli National Park and falls under the territorial forest division. Stating that the area has presence of leopards, sambar and the Indian bison, Prabhunath Shukla, deputy conservator of forests (territorial), Kolhapur said, "This is a secluded area. But often tourists would travel through the road at night to spot wild animals. Incidents of roadkills by speeding vehicles were high, and may go higher during monsoons. Thus, it has been decided close to the road from Vishalgad fort to Amba at nights to prevent roadkills." The decision was taken in the meeting of the district tiger cell chaired by superintendent of police Sanjay Mohite. "During the rains, a number of reptiles and crabs were found dead on the stretch. There are reports of sambar and lavri (grey francolin) poaching too," noted a senior police official, adding that from June-end, vehicular access would be restricted from 7pm to 6am. "There is an alternate route available via Shahuwadi, which is a detour of just four to five km. We will make an exception for emergencies like ambulance. There are no villages but small settlements on the route and its dewellers are supporting us," he said, adding that the ban on vehicles would be enforced by police and forest department staff. The hotels and resorts in the area will be sensitized. Last year, access to the road was effectively stopped for 21 days. Girish Vashisth, former divisional forest officer (DFO), said some protected areas like wildlife sanctuaries and national parks were fully or partially closed for tourists during monsoons considering that it is the breeding season for animals and the effect of rains on road network. However, this was not done much in territorial forest divisions, added Vashisth, stating that the use of such measures for conservation was welcome.

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