Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway and sanctuaries/Tiger reserves

Subject: Environment

Context: It is being built as the fastest highway in India designed for a top speed of 150 kmph.

Concept:

The focus is on co-existence, with five “wildlife bridges” and a network of underpasses being built.
MSRDC, that is building the highway, joined forces with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to engineer safe wildlife crossings.
It will cut across three sanctuaries Tansa (Thane), Katepurna (Akola-Washim border) and Karanja-Sohol (Washim) — and 35 wildlife focus areas (WFAs).
This stretch of the highway is located in the middle of a functional corridor between the Bor Tiger Reserve and the Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary. Besides tigers, the area is also home to the nilgai, sambar, chinkara, wild boar, Indian hare, porcupine, striped hyena and golden jackal.
Fragmentation of such patches can lead to destruction of habitat, and also affect the animal density and movement.
To overcome this fragmentation “Wildlife bridges” or overpasses for animal pathway is being considered which is new for India which focused on underpasses so far.