Score:
6/10
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Topper’s Copy
GS3
Environment & Ecology
10 marks
“Road development in ecologically sensitive regions often leads to wildlife mortality.” Examine with reference to the Western Ghats.
Student’s Answer
Evaluation by SuperKalam
Demand of the Question
- Examine how road development leads to wildlife mortality in Western Ghats
- Provide evidence/examples specific to Western Ghats
- Discuss ecological impacts beyond direct mortality
What you wrote:
The Western ghats is a UNESCO-recognised biodiversity hotspot with high endemism. Road expansion for connectivity have caused
The Western ghats is a UNESCO-recognised biodiversity hotspot with high endemism. Road expansion for connectivity have caused
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen by adding specific road projects (e.g., NH 766 passing through critical wildlife corridors, or Kasara Ghat section of Mumbai-Nashik highway) to ground the discussion in Western Ghats context
What you wrote:
1. Direct Mortality (road kills)
Frequent collisions kill amphibians, reptiles, mammals. A Recent Study: 6500 animals killed So far due to collisions.
2. Habitat fragmentation and Barrier effects
Roads divide forests, isolates populations and affects gene flow, particularly endemic species (over 50 endemic species affected).
3. Behavioural changes and Ecological Trap
Animals are attracted to road heat or food waste, increasing collision risks.
4. Noise and light pollution
Traffic Noise disrupt communication, mating and predator-prey interactions. And artificial lights disturb nocturnal species.
5. Increased Human Encroachment
Easier access to deforestation, poaching and illegal resource extraction.
1. Direct Mortality (road kills)
Frequent collisions kill amphibians, reptiles, mammals. A Recent Study: 6500 animals killed So far due to collisions.
2. Habitat fragmentation and Barrier effects
Roads divide forests, isolates populations and affects gene flow, particularly endemic species (over 50 endemic species affected).
3. Behavioural changes and Ecological Trap
Animals are attracted to road heat or food waste, increasing collision risks.
4. Noise and light pollution
Traffic Noise disrupt communication, mating and predator-prey interactions. And artificial lights disturb nocturnal species.
5. Increased Human Encroachment
Easier access to deforestation, poaching and illegal resource extraction.
Suggestions to improve:
- Can add Western Ghats-specific evidence (e.g., NH-212 through Bandipur-Mudumalai corridor causing elephant casualties, or Agumbe Ghat section affecting King Cobra populations)
- Could mention flagship species impact (e.g., Lion-tailed macaques in Anamalai Hills, Malabar Giant Squirrels near Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary facing fragmentation)
- Can reference Madhav Gadgil Committee recommendations on road construction restrictions in Ecologically Sensitive Areas of Western Ghats
What you wrote:
MITIGATION MEASURES
1. Wildlife crossings (underpasses, canopy bridges)
2. Speed limits, signages and eco-sensitive zone regulation.
3. Environmental Impact Assessment before Road projects.
MITIGATION MEASURES
1. Wildlife crossings (underpasses, canopy bridges)
2. Speed limits, signages and eco-sensitive zone regulation.
3. Environmental Impact Assessment before Road projects.
Suggestions to improve:
- Can cite existing implementations (e.g., wildlife underpasses on Pench-Kanha corridor, though outside Western Ghats, or proposals for NH-275 in Karnataka)
What you wrote:
Infrastructure development must adopt eco-sensitive planning to balance connectivity with conservation in Western ghats.
Infrastructure development must adopt eco-sensitive planning to balance connectivity with conservation in Western ghats.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen by linking to Kasturirangan Committee's zoning approach for Western Ghats or mentioning community-based monitoring initiatives
The answer demonstrates good understanding of road-wildlife conflict dynamics but lacks Western Ghats-specific grounding. Strengthen with regional examples, species-specific impacts, and committee recommendations to fully address the "examine with reference to Western Ghats" demand.
Demand of the Question
- Examine how road development leads to wildlife mortality in Western Ghats
- Provide evidence/examples specific to Western Ghats
- Discuss ecological impacts beyond direct mortality
What you wrote:
The Western ghats is a UNESCO-recognised biodiversity hotspot with high endemism. Road expansion for connectivity have caused
The Western ghats is a UNESCO-recognised biodiversity hotspot with high endemism. Road expansion for connectivity have caused
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen by adding specific road projects (e.g., NH 766 passing through critical wildlife corridors, or Kasara Ghat section of Mumbai-Nashik highway) to ground the discussion in Western Ghats context
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