Stone quarries and blue metal units make animal overpass on ring road irrelevant
Villagers off Vavuthamalai range were used to frequent sightings of gaurs and deer 15 years ago, but not after the emergence of stone quarrying and numerous blue metal units as the hill ranges resound with explosives after dusk; the animals might have mov
An overpass for animals is under construction on an outlay of ₹3 crore on VadipattiChittampatti New Ring Road as it passes through Vavuthumalai reserve forest range. On the other side of the hills lies the recently opened Kalaignar Centenary Aeruthazhuvuthal (jallikattu) Arena at Keelakarai near Alanganallur.
National Highways Authority of India officials were considerate to provide a safe passage for the wild animals. But what is shocking is that the soon to be verdant pass will gently slope down not to a green hill but will hit a naked and defaced hillside gnawed by quarries with no soil even to support bushes.
Fencing the hillock that has been bifurcated for the ring road project is almost over, says an NHAI official.
“The bridge will be ready by Julyend and then saplings of fruit and berrybearing trees that attract wildlife will be planted and hopefully within four years we can see the results,” he adds.
Fifteen years ago, villagers here had frequent sightings of gaurs and deer. But after stone quarrying began, this stretch saw numerous blue metal units coming up. Now, villagers say after 6 p.m. the hill ranges resound with explosives. “Once this became a routine affair, rarely we see animals but for the occasional wild boars,” says Palanisamy of Ellaiyur.
Muthukumar, a resident of Ramayanpatti, says with the coming of the ring road, the animal habitat has been destroyed due to constant vehicle movement. Better accessibility has led to an increase in quarrying activities. Movement of heavy vehicles coming from crusher units has become frequent, he says.
The animals might have moved to Sirumalai range, say the villagers.
Forest Ranger Nagaraj says some hares and foxes can be seen but only when movement of people is nil.
Conservationists say a greenfield corridor is needed when a road cuts through animal habitat as otherwise they will be run over by speeding vehicles. But, for the animal overpass to become an environmental success, mining in the region has to stop, says Thamizhthasan, coordinator, Madurai Nature Cultural Foundation.
Vavuthumalai forest is part of Sirumalai hill range and home not just to gaurs and deer but also to slender loris (Thevangu), an endangered species. This region is also home to crimson rose butterflies which is also under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972.
Government agencies take into account only the bigger animals like gaur, fox and hare while constructing an overpass. But if the fragile landscape has to be protected, then a study has to be made on the number of small species like butterflies, moths and reptiles that inhabit this place.
“To achieve a ‘working overpass,’ mining activities on the hill sides and surrounding areas should be stopped forthwith. The forest range around the overpass should be declared a protected zone for the flora and fauna to recuperate and thrive. Only then the animal habitat will become contiguous besides preventing wildlifevehicle collisions,” Mr. Tamizhthasan says.