Rising Wildlife Fatalities on Mumbai-Pune Expressway Prompt Cautionary Appeal
Mumbai/Pune, December 25, 2024: A surge in wildlife fatalities on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway has raised concerns about the safety of both animals and motorists. The Maharashtra Forest Department has issued a call for drivers to exercise caution in forested areas, urging them to slow down and honk if they spot animals to avert accidents.
Increased Speed Limits Add to Concerns
The expressway, known for its heavy traffic, recently saw an increase in speed limits, allowing light vehicles to travel at 100 km/h and heavy vehicles at 80 km/h. While this aims to ease congestion, it has inadvertently heightened risks for wildlife crossing the road.
Earlier Published | Leopard Killed After Being Hit by a Speeding Vehicle on Mumbai-Pune Expressway
Stretching through forested areas between Urse and Khalapur, the expressway intersects the natural habitat of various species. Despite the construction of compounds on either side to deter animals from wandering onto the road, wildlife like Southern red muntjacs, deer, and even leopards manage to breach these barriers. Over the past 25 years, three leopards, two hyenas, and three Southern red muntjacs have fallen victim to vehicular accidents on the expressway. Additionally, countless smaller animals, including rabbits, continue to be casualties.
Forest Department Advocates for Safety Measures
Vadgaon Maval’s Range Forest Officer, Prakash Shinde, highlighted the need for enhanced safety measures, saying, “To prevent animals from being killed in road accidents, instruction boards should be installed along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Motorists should slow down in forested areas.”
The tragic incidents underscore the delicate balance between infrastructure development and wildlife conservation, with officials and environmentalists calling for immediate interventions to mitigate the toll on local fauna.
