To increase the wildlife in any natural habitat, the basic thing is the availability of vast land stretches and the connectivity of the forest ranges. The State of Uttarakhand has a natural gift as far as the forest cover is concerned. Over 60 percent land is covered by forests and the Rajaji Tiger Reserve has been earmarked 1075.17 sq km land area. There are three main connectivities in the eastern and western parts of the Rajaji National Park and Tiger Reserve but on account of lack of seriousness of various departments of the Government and highway authorities, the works of retaining the natural corridors is hampered.
In the Chilla-Motichur corridor which connects Chilla range with Motichur range of Rajaji National Park and Tiger Reserve, a lot of problems exist like highway passing through the animals' corridor, railway line, Khandgaon village which came into existence after building of Tehri dam, Indian army ammunition dump, Raiwala township and expanding Haridwar line.
With a lot of hue and cry made by the wildlife enthusiasts, the building of 800 m flyover between Motichur and Raiwala was approved but the construction work which started a few years ago is still far from complete. Despite the commitment of the National Highway Authority of India to complete the work before Ardh Kumbh Mela, the broadening work is still on.
Khandgaon 3 which occurs in middle of corridor is being shifted to Rishikesh. Only two or three houses are remaining to be shifted which is not a major hassle, feel the wildlife experts. Regarding shifting of Indian army ammunition dump, talks are on with Indian army underway though not much success has been met. Speaking to The Pioneer, professor at Wildlife institute of India Bivash Pandav said, “The army should be given alternative land area for its functioning. Eventually it is going to create a problem in wildlife conservation.”
The second corridor known as Teen Pani corridor connecting Kansrao of national park to Badkot range of Dehradun faces the same problem of highway expansion. A flyover is being built but at snail's speed. In the Chidderwala corridor which connects Kansrao with Barhkot range again flyover construction is underway.
“losing corridors would mean loss of wildlife. The State Government must take it seriously and give clearances for hastening the work of highway construction so that the elephants and tigers resume their movement in various ranges of the forest through their long time used corridors. This would ultimately reduce the man animal conflicts and problem of crop raiding by elephants in neighbouring villages of the forest division as well,” added Bivash Pandav.