India's Infrastructure Development and Habitat Fragmentation: A Growing Threat to Wildlife

Modern transportation infrastructure, such as highways and high-speed railways, serves as a double-edged sword, promoting connectivity for humans but posing a significant threat to wildlife by fragmenting habitats and disrupting ecosystems.

India, known for its rich biodiversity and abundant wildlife, is witnessing a rapid expansion of its transportation infrastructure. While the development of highways is crucial for the country's economic growth and connectivity, it has inadvertently led to the fragmentation of animal habitats and posed a significant threat to various species. As India continues to strive for progress, it is essential to strike a balance between development and conservation to safeguard our unique wildlife. 

Earlier, I had written about the adverse impact that we effect on climate change in my post, Impact of Humans on Climate Change. 

In this post, we shall look into the complex relationship between India's growing infrastructure development and its profound impact on the country's rich wildlife. As the nation undergoes rapid economic growth and urbanization, the consequences for the natural habitats of diverse flora and fauna are becoming increasingly apparent. The transformation of the landscape is inevitably altering the balance between human progress and well-being of wildlife.

Impact of Highway Construction on Animal Habitats

The construction of new highways often involves the clearing of vast stretches of land, including forests and other natural habitats. This disruption severely affects the delicate balance of ecosystems, displacing numerous animal species from their native habitats, further endangering the survival of various species. Fragmentation of habitats occurs when roads divide previously contiguous landscapes, isolating populations and hindering their movement and genetic diversity.

Barrier Effect

Highways act as physical barriers that obstruct the natural movement of wildlife across their territories. This fragmentation can result in the isolation of populations, restricting their access to food, water, mates, and suitable breeding grounds. Isolated populations are more susceptible to inbreeding, reducing genetic diversity and weakening their long-term survival prospects.

Increased Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions

The rise in highways leads to increased encounters between vehicles and wildlife, often resulting in fatal collisions. Animals, such as deer, elephants, tigers, and numerous bird species, are unable to comprehend the dangers posed by fast-moving vehicles, leading to a higher mortality rate. These collisions not only cause significant harm to wildlife populations but also pose risks to human life and property.

Disrupted Migration Routes or Animal Corridors

Many animals undertake regular migrations, moving across large areas in search of resources or suitable breeding grounds. Highways that cut through these migration corridors disrupt the natural patterns, preventing animals from reaching their destinations. Such disruptions can have cascading effects on entire ecosystems, affecting predator-prey dynamics, seed dispersal, and the overall health of the ecosystem. 

Few examples of how proposed development or expansion of roads and railways is impacting animal corridors are illustrated below.

Melghat-Satpura-Pench Corridor

This corridor connects three tiger reserves in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Movement of tigers is threatened by existing national highways NH46 (Gwalior to Betul) and NH47 (Bamanbor in Gujarat to Nagpur), state highway SH26 (Khategaon-Chhindwara-Amarkantak), and the Nagpur-Bhopal, Itarsi-Jabalpur and Itarsi-Mumbai railway corridor.
Fortunately, in May 2022, the National Tiger Conservation (NTCA) asked Madhya Pradesh chief wildlife warden to inform the NHAI to stop road widening work in the Satpura-Melghat tiger reserve corridor on NH-46 (old NH-69). Current status is not known.

Ranthambhore-Kuno-Madhav Corridor

This corridor connects three tiger reserves in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Madhav National Park is located in one of the 32 tiger corridors of India. It is threatened by the proposed expansion of the National Highway 27 (Shivpuri-Jhansi-Kanpur). The shaded area in the middle is Kuno National Park.

Nagarhole-Bandipur-Wayanad Corridor

This corridor connects three tiger reserves in Karnataka and Kerala. It is threatened by the proposed expansion of the National Highway 766. The highway connects Kozhikode in Kerala with Kollegal in Karnataka via Mysore. Of the total distance of 272 km, 117 km is in Kerala and 155 is in Karnataka.

Conservation Efforts and Mitigation Measures

Recognizing the ecological consequences of highway development, several conservation initiatives and mitigation measures have been undertaken to minimize the impact on wildlife.

Eco-friendly Highways / Railways Design

Incorporating wildlife-friendly features into highway design, such as underpasses, overpasses, and elevated corridors, allows animals to safely cross the roads. These structures help reconnect fragmented habitats and restore movement corridors for wildlife. For instance, the construction of wildlife crossings, such as the ones on the Samruddhi Expressway (Nagpur-Mumbai), aim to provide safe passages for animals, reducing the risk of collisions.

An example from the railways is the under pass for elephants, built in Madukkari Forest Division in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. These measures acknowledge the unique challenges faced by large mammals during their daily movement and help resolving the problems.

Protected Wildlife Corridors

The National Tiger Conservation Authority alongwith the Wildlife Institute of India, in letter and spirit of section 38 O (1) (g) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 have identified 32 major tiger corridors in the country.

Identifying and creating protected wildlife corridors can facilitate the movement of animals across highways. These corridors should be strategically planned based on scientific studies and ecological assessments to ensure their effectiveness.

Speed Regulations and Signage

Implementing speed regulations near wildlife crossing zones, along with proper signage and warnings, can help reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. 

While the placement of signages in animal crossing zones is a step in the right direction, it is essential to acknowledge their limitations. Signages alone may not effectively compel drivers to reduce their speed, especially in the absence of visible threats or consequences. Drivers may overlook or underestimate the significance of the signage.

Take a look at the picture below, which makes it clear that signages on highways cutting through animal corridors have practically no impact in reducing instances of animal-vehicle collisions, as there are no physical barriers to vehicle speeds.  

Question: have you noticed such signs while driving on highways and made an effort to slow down?

It is sincerely requested that NHAI introduces additional measures aimed at slowing down traffic. Speed breakers and rumbler strips serve as physical deterrents, inducing drivers to reduce their speed as they approach animal crossing zones.
Without these measures, drivers may not feel compelled to alter their speed, jeopardizing the safety of both wildlife and motorists. Heavy vehicles pose a greater risk as they are less likely to decelerate promptly without the presence of physical deterrents.

Conservation Awareness and Research

Promoting public awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and the impact of highways on animal habitats is essential in saving wildlife. Conducting research to monitor wildlife movement patterns and assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures can further support conservation efforts.

While the development of highways is necessary for India's progress, it must be accompanied by a serious commitment to wildlife conservation. By incorporating eco-friendly designs, establishing protected corridors, and implementing concrete actions, we can minimize the fragmentation of animal habitats and mitigate the threats faced by India's diverse wildlife. The implementation of wildlife crossings and underpasses is a positive step, but a broader and more concerted effort is needed to ensure the coexistence of human development and biodiversity.

Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty - Albert Einstein.

World Environment Day: Lessons Unlearned as Destruction Continues

Year after year, World Environment Day serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect and preserve the planet we call home. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness and mobilizing action to tackle the growing environmental challenges we face. Yet, as another World Environment Day, June 05, 2023, has come and gone, it is disheartening to realize that we have not really learned our lessons, and the relentless destruction of the environment goes on unabated.

The signs of environmental degradation are all around us, from melting ice caps and rising sea levels to deforestation, pollution, extreme weather conditions and the alarming decline of biodiversity. Despite growing scientific consensus on the urgent need to address these issues, our actions seem to fall short of the mark. We continue to exploit natural resources at an unsustainable rate, prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability, and turn a blind eye to the consequences of our actions. Consider recent instances, for example, the cyclone Biparjoy in Arabian Sea (see image below), which has drawn away moisture from the main land and caused a delay in onset of the Indian monsoon; or the pollution engulfing New York city due the Canadian forest fires.

One can be forgiven for thinking that the ever-increasing instances of extreme climatic conditions, alarming reports for water shortages, the distressing images for drought, and the strident pleas from environmental activists and scientists would be enough to shake us from our complacency and take concrete mitigation measures. Yet, year after year, the ground realities are ignored and we end up facing the same challenges, sometimes exacerbated by our own inaction. 

Root Causes

The root causes of this predicament are due to our excessively materialistic society, economy, and way of life leading to development which is not sustainable for the environment.

Our insatiable hunger for economic growth and consumerism has fueled an unsustainable model of development. Industries continue to prioritize profit margins over environmental protection, resulting in the pollution of air, water, and soil. We witness the rampant extraction of natural resources, the destruction of ecosystems, and the displacement of local communities. The consequences of these actions are far-reaching, affecting not only the environment but also our own well-being and future generations.

Lack of Political Will and Unscientific Policies

What is particularly troubling is the lack of political will and global cooperation to address these challenges effectively. While international agreements and frameworks exist, their implementation often falls short. The discord and shortsightedness displayed in global climate change negotiations are a glaring reminder of the uphill battle we face. Differences based on political ideologies and economic interests hinder progress and hamper the collective effort required to safeguard our planet.
Furthermore, a complete lack of understanding by policy makers can be seen in many instances. Consider the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), of the European Union under which the EU has classified biomass as a renewable energy source equivalent to wind and solar power. This has incentivized energy providers in EU to burn wood instead of coal and has lead to a demand for wood causing deforestation in America. According to available information, Europe imported more than 4 million tons of wood pellets from US forests as renewable energy.

Despite evidence to the contrary and clear and present danger, in the September 2022 the European Parliament voted not to declassify woody biomass as renewable energy.

Similarly, there has been large-scale conversion of lush tropical forests into palm plantations for palm oil production, impacting large numbers of endangered plants and animals. The destroyed forests are home to unique species like the orangutan and critically endangered Sumatran tiger.

India's Green Goals

However, all is not lost and there is still hope. Organizations like WWF and Greenpeace are tirelessly working for the cause of environment. Grassroots movements, led by passionate individuals and communities, are driving change from the bottom up. They are raising awareness, demanding accountability, and pushing for sustainable practices in their local contexts.

Furthermore, technological advancements offer promising solutions that could mitigate our impact on the environment. Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are becoming more accessible and cost-effective. Innovations in agriculture, waste management, and transportation aim to reduce our ecological footprint. These developments provide a ray of hope, illustrating that a transition to a more sustainable future is indeed possible.

At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015, the Paris Agreement was signed by 196 countries. This is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. The goal is to reduce greenhouse emissions and limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

To meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) commitments made during the Paris agreement, India has set a target of 500 GW of installed renewable energy by 2030 - 280 GW of solar power and 140 GW of wind power. As on 31.03.2023, India has an installed capacity of 416.0 GW. (Source: powermin.gov.in)

Towards a Better Future

As we reflect on another World Environment Day gone by, let it serve as a wake-up call. It is a reminder that we cannot afford to be complacent or remain passive observers of our own self-destruction. We must take responsibility for our actions, both as individuals and as a society. It is time to make sustainable choices, to advocate for change, and to hold those in power accountable for their environmental stewardship.

We not only need government to enact and enforce robust environmental policies, but businesses need to adopt sustainable practices, and individuals practice eco-friendly habits in their daily lives. Education and awareness must be prioritized, ensuring that future generations understand the importance of environmental protection and are equipped with the knowledge and skills to drive growth of new technologies.

The World Environment Day should be a catalyst for renewed determination and action. Let us learn from the mistakes of the past, unite in our efforts, and work towards a future where the preservation of our planet takes precedence over short-term gains. The time for change is now, and we owe it to ourselves and future generations to act determinedly and ensure a sustainable and thriving world for humans and all living creatures that inhabit our wonderful planet Earth.

The Earth Does not Belong to Us; We Belong to the Earth

Pemgiri Banyan Tree

Banyan Tree in Pemgiri

Do you know that located in Ahmednagar district is of one of the largest banyan trees in Maharashtra? I am sure most of you don’t. Read on for a brief account on this natural wonder, the banyan tree and its spiritual significance to the local populace in Pemgiri and rural Ahmednagar district.

On a recent visit to Neemgaon, we were able to squeeze in a short trip to take a look at this banyan tree.

The banyan tree in Pemgiri is believed to be around 400 years old, its canopy is spread over an area of around 2.5 acres (approximately 10,000 sq m.) and a perennial stream passes through middle providing water to birds and small animals.

The tree is located in a small village called Pemgiri, which is at a distance of around 90 km from Nashik city in Maharashtra. It is one of the largest banyan trees in India and is a tourist attraction among the locals. 

When to visit Pemgiri

Anytime of the year.

The place is sparsely visited on weekdays, but there are quite a few visitors on weekends. If you plan to visit, I suggest an early morning start from Nashik at around 07.00, reaching at about 09.30, so as to avoid the late morning sun. There are no restaurants in the near vicinity, but one can have tea / coffee at a small stall next to the banyan tree. You may also buy guavas and groundnuts from vendors, on weekends.  

The tree in Pemgiri is considered sacred by the villagers. A small temple dedicated to a local saint is built beneath the vast tree canopy. Villagers worship the saint, who is said to have vanquished a man-eating tiger which terrorized people in the 17th century.
Locals stress on the folklore that says no one who enters the area and breaks tree branches or damages the tree ever escapes from the tree’s curse.

The tree is not just a spiritual site and a place to offer prayers but provides shelter to a variety of bird species. A perennial stream passes through middle. The tree is surrounded on three sides by fields owned by local farmers and is accessible by a motorable road off the Pune-Nashik highway.
Apart from the banyan tree in Pemgiri, one can also visit an old Maratha fort (Pemgiri fort / Sahagad fort) atop the Shahagad hill, though trekking the hill would be quite strenous. Another site worth visiting during and immediately after the monsoons is the Pemgiri waterfall, about a kilometer behind the banyan tree. The road leading the waterfall is not paved but is accessible on a two-wheeler.

All in all, a visit to Pemgiri is day well spent serving as a reminder of the importance of appreciating our natural resources. 

So far as I am able to judge, nothing has been left undone, either by man or nature, to make India the most extraordinary country that the sun visits on his rounds. Nothing seems to have been forgotten, nothing overlooked. Mark Twain, "Following the Equator"