Underpasses in Elephant Corridors Sanctioned in Deepor Beel

GUWAHATI: In a step towards the preservation of wildlife and decrease in the human-animal conflicts in the state of Assam, the state government has sanctioned the construction of elevated roads near one of the protected regions inside the capital city.

On Wednesday the Assam Cabinet put its stamp of approval on the creation of several of underpasses along the edge of the Deepor Beel Bird Sanctuary in Guwahati. These will allow the safe passage of elephants to the water source, which also happens to be a Ramsar Site.

Deepor Beel is a huge water body on the South Western edge of Guwahati city. Originally it was connected to the Brahmaputra river, but that connection closed over time. It is the largest water body for wild elephants residing in the nearby forest regions. They often come down to the wetland to quench their thirst as well as to cool off.

Although the forest authorities try to monitor the movement of the herds and take necessary action to close vehicular movement near the lake at the time of elephant crossings, elephants have been killed and injured multiple times by trains moving on this track.

The chief minister has announced the approval of a total of seven elevated underpasses at the known elephant corridors at the edge of the lake. The region is between the Azara and the Kamakhya railway stations in state of Assam. They will be constructed on the road that runs almost parallel to the railway track. He also added that the construction of two elevated roads over the protected waters body.

Northeast Frontier Railways will also work on the creation of the viaducts so as to allow the safe movement of the wild animals.

Local conservationists have however maintained that the existing railway track be rerouted in order to preserve the local flora and fauna of the region.

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