With the Central Government stressing on the need for development while attempting to strike a balance with environmental concerns, the Wildlife Institute of India is prepared to work with the Government to ensure that the environmental aspect is addressed, said the WII director Dr Vinod B Mathur.
Talking to The Pioneer, Mathur said that though development is necessary, it is also vital to ensure that the environmental aspect is not ignored. Referring to the need for facilitating an efficient system to enable wildlife to cross motor roads, he said that it is now known that elephants will not enter a tunnel or subway unless they can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Apart from this the height of the tunnel and appropriate plantation also has to be considered in order to encourage the pachyderms to use these for crossing a motor road.
"If the land has to be excavated for some construction or developmental work, we can ascertain what impact it will have on the creatures underground and recommend measures accordingly. The institute has expertise and research based information on the varied aspects of the environment across the nation. We are ready to play our part in facilitating balance between developmental works and environmental concerns," he said.