The issue is that of SPEED of vehicles. It is just not about closing the road at night. Even during day time many people traveling in these stretches, feed monkeys and deer on the highway. There are lots of over speeding vehicles on these stretches (especially Gundlupet - Ooty sector). People stop vehicles, get down, conduct picnics, throw stones at animals, take pictures, tease elephants, litter the ground etc etc. The forest department seldom patrol these roads or stop such activities even in broad day light. The worst scene can be seen right in front of the Forest department's office in Bandipur (called the reception area). Lots of people hanging around, too many shops, monkeys and deer being fed etc. The reception area of Bandipur Forest department themselves have close to 100 beds of accommodation catering to all sorts of people especially to those who drink and play cards, with forest department staff churning out food and meat. All this has to stop. The highways department should build scientifically designed speed breakers. We have to curtail speed. Thats the only way we can protect our wild life and not just by closing roads. For example, those who frequent Kabini area would have noticed a bus service called Modern Travels. These guys drive at > 80 KMPH speeds through mysore mananthavadi highway (Nagarahole park stretch) even when the roads were bad!! Same is true with KSRTC buses and KTC buses. All this has to stop. Even during the day. If we can ensure that the speeds do not exceed 25 to 30 KMPH of all vehciles irrespective of daytime or night, we should be able to protect wildlife.
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