In Assam's Kaziranga, elevated corridor lifts hopes of curbing animal deaths, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation for a 34.5-km elevated corridor in Kaziranga National Park, Assam.
• The Rs 6,950-crore project aims to reduce animal deaths caused by traffic on National Highway 715.
• The corridor will facilitate safer animal passage, especially during floods, connecting the park to Karbi Anglong Hills.
• A 2022 study recorded over 6,000 animal deaths due to vehicle collisions on this highway in a year.

Detailed Insights:

• Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceros and numerous other species.
• National Highway 715 disrupts the natural movement of animals between the park and the Karbi Anglong Hills, especially during floods.
• The project includes upgrading 30.22 km of existing road and constructing 21 km of greenfield bypasses to decongest the corridor.
• The elevated corridor aims to balance development with wildlife conservation by allowing animal movement beneath the structure.
• Concerns exist regarding construction disturbances, but experts believe the overpass offers a long-term solution if managed carefully.
• The wider landscape, including floodplains, wetlands, grasslands, and highlands, is the natural habitat for animals, necessitating safe passage.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Elevated Corridor: An elevated roadway designed to minimize surface-level disruptions.
• Wildlife Corridor: A habitat area that connects wildlife populations separated by human activities.
• Roadkill Mortality: Animal deaths resulting from collisions with vehicles on roads.