The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has erected speed-breakers on the Haridwar-Najibabad Highway following the intervention of the forest department. The area was fast becoming a danger zone for the wildlife which was often run over by the fast moving vehicles on the highway.
It should be mentioned here that the Haridwar- Najibabad Highway is flanked by parts of Rajaji Tiger Reserve and the area falls under the control of the forest department. With dense forests on either side, often the wild animals use it as a corridor and get killed on the way while moving in search of food and water. After a survey done by the forest department, it was recommended to the National Highways Authority of India to build speed-breakers.
Speaking to The Pioneer, Haridwar divisional forest officer HK Singh said, “We had written letters to the National Highways Authority of India to build speed-breakers. From Kangri village to Bhaguwala, speed-breakers have been made after certain fixed distances. It is hoped that this would help reduce the number of accident deaths of wild animals.”
A glance at the statistics provided by the forest department from 2006 to the present shows death of 52 animals in road accidents during the span of 11 years.