The roads ministry has proposed to construct 25 leafy underpasses for animal movement as part of 10 national highways that pass through forests and wildlife sanctuaries in order to ensure environmental clearance for the projects. The measures will add to the cost of construction, but that isn't a worry since these will reduce the impact on the natural habitat of animals, a senior National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) official said. These proposed highways would pass through sanctuaries such as the Madhav National Park near Gwalior; Chambal and the corridors connecting the Kanha and Pench tiger reserves; Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand and dense forests of Assam. Cost of construction for these nearly 1,900 km of highways is estimated to be about Rs 20,000 crore.

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and National Tiger Conservation Authority have prepared draft guidelines for mitigation of impact of linear projects in forest ranges. For instance, height of underpasses has been suggested to be a minimum of six metres to help elephants.

Mum-Goa Highway Grows A Conscience, Will Have Underpasses For Animals To Cross Over Safely!

The government is working with the WII to implement these. "Animals have a set pattern and route of movement according to which special paths underneath the elevated road stretch would be made," the NHAI official said. State wildlife boards will also be drafted into the projects.