Opposing the proposed construction of elevated roads that runs through Bandipur Tiger Reserve, wildlife activists and other like-minded people are set to stage two protests in two different places in Banidpur Tiger Reserve on this Sunday and on October 21 and October 27.The suggestion of the union government to the Supreme Court to allow the movements of transportation of vehicles 24x7 on the national highways passing through Bandipur Tiger Reserve, after developing five elevated roads of one kilometer each has ruffled the feather of wildlife activists. The first protest which is planned on Sunday, will be staged at Melkammanhalli gate; the second protest will be staged at the check post of Bandipur Tiger Reserve on Gundlupet-Sullthan Battery road.Environmentalist Shylajesha S says, “According to the wildlife act of 1972, the eco-sensitive zone states that the state governments should declare land falling within 10 kilometers of the boundaries of national park and wildlife sanctuaries as eco senstivtive zone of eco-sensitive zone under the Environment Protection Act. The act also does not allow any mega construction within 10 kilometers from the boundary of the national parks. Constructing five elevated roads or revoking night ban on vehicular traffic will destroy floura and rich wildlife.”Wildlife enthusiast Samanvitha Rao says, “Already 16 buses and emergency vehicles are allowed at night time through the forest. Allowing all vehicles will significantly increase pollution and noise at night in the forest, which will sound death knell to various wild animals like Tigers, Elephants, Gaur and Sambar whose movements are active during night hours .”HOW CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD WILL POSE THREAT TO BANDIPUR TIGE RESERVE1. Construction will exert pressure on Bandipur Tiger Reserve as the use of machines will disturb the forest because of chopping of trees, noise generated from the use of machines will post a threat a Bandipur wildlife which has highest number of Tigers in Karnataka . The construction of elevated roads will also lead to fragmentation of territories and destruction of their natural pathways of animals.2. Once human interference in Bandipur increases it wikll become difficult keep a tab on illegal activities in forest areas. Thanks to human littering, the tiger reserve will turn into a garbage dump.3. The nubmer of Wild animals like elephants, tigers and leopards dying due to road accident had reduced after night traffic ban was imposed. If the ban is lifted, the death of wild animals is likely to increase again.4. This project would set the precedent for such projects across wildlife zones in the country. It is already proposed for Wayanad wildlife sanctuary. The western ghats eco-system has higher density of endemic species of amphibians and reptiles and other sensitive creatures that need very specific environmental conditions for survival.There will be complete extinction of such species if the projects comes into existence.

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