Perhaps taking a leaf from the Liberty Canyon wildlife corridor, India is considering wildlife corridors for four national parks. According to The Tribune, the suggestion for Indian wildlife corridors comes from a consortium of Indian conservation agencies.
Indian wildlife corridors in national parks would follow a relatively new conservation precedent. Conservationists recognize that isolated pockets of wildlife risk inbreeding and eventual local extinction. In California an ambitious corridor is being built over the 101 Freeway in Southern California. The Liberty Canyon overcrossing may open next year. It is expected to allow isolated pockets of mountain lions (Puma concolor) and other animals to overcross the freeway safely. It is hoped the animals can increase genetic diversity by mating across human made boundaries.
According to the Telegraph: “Environmentalists have suggested the creation of wildlife corridors in four national parks and sanctuaries in Himachal for safeguarding wildlife habitats during development activities. These are the suggestions made on the basis of a pilot study.
These are the suggestions made on the basis of a pilot study on Mapping and Restoration of Biodiversity Corridors in Himachal undertaken by the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. The study suggests that wildlife corridors be developed in the Kanwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Inderkilla and Khirganga national parks and the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary.
It basically reflects on the reasons for rising man-animal conflicts in Himachal Pradesh and highlights the need for the creation of wildlife corridors. It also highlights the importance of ensuring wildlife movement pathways during the development process, including the construction of roads, railway lines, tunnels and industrialisation, which could prove to be a daunting task.”
. Liberty Canyon is one of a number of corridor projects in California. CalTrans, the state highway agency, is committed to reducing the risk to wildlife posed by highways. Worldwide, highways are extremely dangerous to wild animals. In the United States an estimated 1.5 million deer/vehicle accidents occur. There are about 10,000 injuries, some fatal. The price tag runs around $10 billion.
Indian wildlife corridors may help protect animals as large as elephants from the carnage.