· During last 15 years, 225 animals killed by speeding vehicles

· Encroachments make sanctuary inhospitable for wild animals

ADILABAD: Conservationists were in for a severe jolt when for the first time a panther was killed on January 27 in a road accident in Kawwal Wild Life Sanctuary (in Khanapur mandal), Adilabad district. The solution for curbing the ever-increasing number of animals killed in road accidents lies in declaration of the sanctuary as a national park or a reserve under Project Tiger, experts opined.

"Kawwal sanctuary has gained in importance due to visits of wild life experts. As per the 2005 census the sanctuary is home to 18 tigers and 32 panthers," revealed Adilabad Conservator of Forests B.S. Yousuf Sharief.

The population and the exotic habitat of these highly endangered animals should provide the rationale for elevating it to the status of a National Park, experts added.

Poaching curbed

During the last 15 years, 225 animals from the wild confines of the 893 sq km sanctuary, including 34 chital and 30 sambhars, have been killed by speeding vehicles. This number is considered alarming by conservationists, more so because of a complete stoppage of poaching that the Forest Department has been able to achieve.

Ban on hunting helped the Indian gaur, four-horned antelope, Indian wolf, black buck, chinkara, leopard and tiger at the apex of the food chain to progressively grow in population. "Road kills are a result of vehicles passing on Khanapur-Jannaram road and Utnoor Jannaram road which cut across the `animal movement corridor' within the Kawwal sanctuary. Traffic has to be regulated at least between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. so as to allow the wild animals to roam freely within their habitat," Mr. Sharief added.

Funding

Among the numerous issues which have rendered the Kawwal sanctuary rather inhospitable for the wild animals are encroachments by 40 illegal villages within the reserve forest. The most important component in conservation, however, remains the funding. Once the sanctuary is elevated in status, funds are bound to flow in.