Traffic density through highways cutting through Bandipur is a cause for concern given its impact on wildlife.
| Photo Credit: SRIRAM MA

Speculation is rife in Karnataka that the State government might eventually yield to pressure to lift the night traffic ban through Bandipur, setting off alarm among wildlife conservationists and activists.

The ban, in effect since 2010, has helped reduce death of wild animals run over by speeding vehicles, apart from providing reprieve from habitat disturbance at night. Though the ban was legally challenged, it was upheld by the High Court of Karnataka and subsequently by the Supreme Court of India which reinforced its necessity to protect the region’s rich biodiversity.

Activists fear that political pressure from Kerala may lead to a reversal of Karnataka’s long-standing stance, in what could amount to undermining decades of conservation efforts that has made Bandipur, a prime wildlife habitat.

‘Night traffic beda’ campaign

Conservation activists plan to revive “Night Traffic Beda” and “Say No to night traffic” agitation to give voice to their views against lifting the ban.

Speculations that there is a shift in the policy stance of the Karnataka government stems from the ambivalent statement of Minister for Forests Environment and Ecology Eshwar B. Khandre that night traffic ban through Bandipur, is a ‘’highly sensitive issue’’ and ‘’consensus decision would be made only after consulting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and seeking the opinion of legal experts.’’

Mr. Khandre also said that appropriate steps will be taken after discussions with all stakeholders, “considering the relationship between Karnataka and Kerala.”

Though senior Forest Department officials denied that there was such a move, there is a perception building up that the Siddaramaiah-led government is under pressure. This is because many senior AICC leaders from Kerala, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and the current Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi are also in favour of lifting the night traffic ban.

What courts said

Wildlife conservationist Giridhar Kulkarni pointed out that both the High Court of Karnataka and Supreme Court, have upheld the ban while the High Court has also dismissed a petition filed in 2014 by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, seeking permission to run two additional buses.

Incidentally, successive Governments in Karnataka – be it the Congress or the BJP — had all these years opposed lifting the night traffic ban despite pressure from Kerala.

Environmental activist Joseph Hoover said former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had categorically refused Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s request to allow tunnel roads and railway tracks through Bandipur and urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah not to budge on the issue. Conservation benefits which have accrued due to decades of hard work, should not be sacrificed at the altar of political expediency, said the activists.

Alternative route

There is also an alternative route developed to reduce traffic density plying through the core area of Bandipur and it connects Hunsur, Gonikoppa, Kutta, Sultan Bathery and Moolehole with Wayanad. Though the route is 35 km longer than NH-766, it ensures connectivity and hence, the demand for lifting night traffic ban has been questioned.