THE closure of night traffic along highways in the Bandipur forests of Karnataka that lead to Kerala might soon spark off protests. On the Kerala side, in Kozhikode, there have been street meetings. And citizens are contemplating direct action.
Critics say that North Kerala, especially Kozhikode city, had been hit on account of the ban on night traffic on the two highways that connect Gundalpet to Mudhumalai and Wayanad. It has also affected transportation of vegetables and fruits. For techies going home to north Kerala over the weekend, it is a huge loss of time, as we reported earlier.
But Karnataka forest officials have been sticking to the ban decision, now supported by a court order.
Night traffic distracts and kills animals, they say. Divisional Forest Officer of Bandipur Hanumanthappa said that since the ban no road kills had been reported at night time. Reportedly, the ban has also checked poaching of rare animals like slender loris, a local sub- species.
Still middle- of- the- road environmentalists argue that drivers could be educated to avoid encounters with animals.
But it looks like humananimal conflicts are not easily resolvable.
