Maharashtra Forest Department has directed Indian Railways and National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to construct underpasses and overpasses for those infrastructure projects passing through forest areas to avoid obstruction of natural migration routs of wildlife. Many wild animals including Schedule I animals in Maharashtra lost their lives due to road and rail accidents in recent time and it turned into a major concern for the forest department. To avoid such accidents, forest department asked authorities to ensure safe movement of animals in wildlife corridors despite infrastructure development in forest areas. Every project proponent must include underpasses and overpasses in their detailed project report (DPR) if it is crossing through any forest area.

 

Forest department will also conduct thorough examination and inspection of the DPR of such projects before giving permission. The direction has been issued after it was observed that some proposals were being submitted for government approval without including necessary measures for the safe movement of wildlife. Maharashtra is one of the State that is witnessing highest number of wild animal deaths due to road and rail accidents in the country and despite repeated directions the authorities are not taking the issue seriously. To avoid such accidents in future, the department issued this direction to curb road accidents on future projects.

 

Roads and railway lines passing through forests disrupt the natural passing routes of wildlife which increase the risk of wild animal deaths. As per the directions, Chief Conservator of Forest, Conservator of Forest and Deputy Conservator of Forest will consider the proposed projects DPR before giving permission. If the project is crossing through a forest area then it must have underpasses and overpasses, and then just the forest department will give permission. These directions have been issued in accordance with the guidelines issued under the Forest Conservation Act 1980.