It is now official. NHs 212 and 67 that cut across Bandipur tiger reserve will be closed during night.
The High Court on Monday stayed the withdrawal order issued by the deputy commissioner and district magistrate of Chamarajanagar, Manojkumar Meena. Chief Justice PD Dinakaran heard a PIL filed by advocate L Srinivasababu and stayed the June 9 withdrawal order.
The stretches connecting Ooty, Calicut and Wayanad via the reserve will be closed from 9pm to 6 am. The proposal was cleared and orders were issued under the Motor Vehicle Act and were to be implemented from June 10, 2009.
The petitioner submitted that on June 3, 2009, the DC had issued orders to close the highways at night, but within a week the order was withdrawn due to lobbying of lorry and timber yard owners coupled with requests from the Kerala government. But now, the order has brought much relief to officials and conservationists.
Speaking to DNA Meena said, “The orders will be implemented as stated by the court and if people object, it will be contempt of court.”
“It is a historic decision and justice has been done," pointed wildlife expert D Rajkumar.
Heavy vehicles are nuisance to wildlife. Many poaching cases have been reported on this stretch which needed to be curtailed. Signages and speed brakers will also be erected to curtail speed limit to 40km/h. Principal
“Every month, over four animals are killed in road accidents, with victims generally being elephants, spotted deer, bonnet macaques and langurs. The humps and closure will reduce accidents by about 70%,” added Rajkumar.
