Animal corridors on NH-37 at KNP to be converted to tunnel road

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

BOKAKHAT, June 9:  The animal corridors on tiol Highway-37 at Kaziranga tiol Park (KNP) would be converted to tunnel road, said MK Yadav, KNP Director, at a press meet held at Kohora Convention Centre on Tuesday.

For the safety of animal corridors the first tunnel would be constructed from Ranglu to GL Resort at Amguri. The second tunnel would be constructed from Burhapahar Deopani Bridge to Harmoti and the third would be constructed from Harmoti to Bagori. The fourth tunnel would be constructed from Bagori to Haldibari while the fifth tunnel would be constructed at Panbari.

Though the people of Kaziranga and Bokakhat are opposed to the proposal of echo-sensitive zone, the KNP authority has decided to take public opinion in this regard. Yadav said that the proposal for echo-sensitive zone would be published in regiol language and public opinion in this regard would be drawn in a prescribed performa to be being distributed among people.

According to him, the proposed echo-sensitive zone would cover 500-metre areas from the KNP border. A set of rules and regulations would also be framed to be abided by the people. He further said that when the tunnels would be completed, the tiol Highway-37 from Jakhalabondha to Bokakhat would be closed down. For movement of tourists and local people, only vehicles run by electricity and echo-friendly fuel would be allowed. On the other hand, illegal tree felling and stone trading in Karbi Anglong would also be stopped. The KNP Director said that the State Government had already approved this proposal.