Bengaluru Celebrates Wildlife Conservation Breakthrough with Elephant Overpass Success
In a landmark achievement for urban wildlife conservation, the forest department in Bengaluru has officially documented elephants crossing Karnataka's inaugural elephant overpass. This significant event occurred on NH-209 near Tataguni, situated on the southern outskirts of Bengaluru, marking a pivotal moment in efforts to protect local elephant populations.
First Official Recording of Elephant Movement on Overpass
Constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to facilitate safe passage for elephants between Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) and the Savandurga forests in Ramanagara district, this overpass witnessed its first confirmed elephant crossing early Sunday morning. Officials had previously noticed elephant activity in the Anepalya and BM Kaval areas on the western side of NH-209 on Friday and Saturday. However, the absence of elephant dung or footprints on the highway left them perplexed about how the animals managed to cross the busy road.
Suspicion grew that the elephants might be utilizing the overpass, prompting the Bengaluru Urban forest division to install camera traps along the structure on Saturday. To their astonishment, a tusker was captured on camera traversing the overpass at 3:58 AM on Sunday, providing concrete evidence that elephants have begun to adopt this safe passage. The overpass, completed in 2024 with an investment exceeding Rs 20 crore, was specifically engineered to enable wildlife to cross the highway without risk.
Overpass Design and Modifications for Wildlife
An official from the forest department highlighted the importance of this discovery, stating, "Over the years, many refused to believe that this stretch is part of an elephant corridor. But now it is established beyond doubt that this is indeed part of a jumbo corridor. The cameras captured leopards and other wildlife using the overpass." This confirmation underscores the overpass's role in a broader wildlife movement network.
The overpass underwent modifications to better suit wildlife needs after senior forest officer N Ravindra Kumar, upon taking charge as deputy conservator of forests for Bengaluru, directed NHAI contractors to create slopes on both sides and enhance the surrounding habitat. Over the past two years, collaborative efforts with resident welfare associations and NGOs led to the planting of hundreds of fruit-bearing trees and bamboo on the overpass. This initiative has transformed the structure into a forest-like patch that encourages wildlife movement, making it more inviting for animals to use.
Background and Construction Details
The construction of this overpass was spurred by a tragic incident in March 2023, when an elephant died after colliding with a BMTC bus while attempting to cross the highway. Measuring 40 meters in width and 45 meters in length, the structure is strategically located a few meters behind the historic Roerich and Devika Rani Roerich Estate on Kanakapura Road. Its design aims to prevent such accidents and promote coexistence between urban development and wildlife conservation.
This development not only validates the existence of an elephant corridor in the area but also sets a precedent for future wildlife infrastructure projects in India. The successful use of the overpass by elephants and other species highlights the effectiveness of targeted conservation measures in mitigating human-wildlife conflicts.
