Drunk drivers pose threat to animals in tiger reserve

[Mrudul Godbole]

Hyderabad, May 1: The animals in the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam tiger sanctuary in the Nallamala forest area are facing a grave risk from heavy vehicular traffic and tourist influx. It has been found that private vehicles are entering the sanctuary and visitors are consuming alcohol against the rules.
Even road kills have increased. Drunken drivers often kill animals that cross the road at night.

A recent study by the forest department revealed that several animal species are killed in road accidents. The vehicular traffic is stopped from 9 pm to 6 am throughout the year on the road to Srisailam. However, during festivals like Maha Shivaratri, Ugadi and Kartikamasam, traffic is allowed round the clock.
The highest number of road kills was recorded between March and April and between July and December.

“There is a need to check drunken driving at the entry and exit points at Mannanur in Mahbubnagar and at Dornala in Prakasam. Drunken drivers should not be allowed to enter the sanctuary area,” said a forest official. Most lorry and heavy-vehicle drivers consume liquor and this is not just killing wild animals but also resulting in road accidents.

“Most animals are usually active at night. Animals like the tiger, panther and other larger mammals often cross the road at night, while reptiles like snakes use the roads to hunt for food. Three panthers and four sloth bears were killed in road accidents,” said Mr K. Thulsi Rao, a scientist at Sundipenta in Nallamala.

Link - http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyder...er-reserve-062

[Nikhilesh Mahakur]

Dont exactly agree on the caption and specifics of drunk drivers, lot more incidents have happened with much active wildlife enthusiasts and photographers too.

Drunk driving is only one of the reasons , its the attitude of people towards environment and wildlife which needs to be changed and spreading awareness is all we can do

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I think alchohol is not allowed within the tiger reserve premises. This is an enforcement issue. Unfortuantely, we are slack in protecting our natural heritage.