India has one of the highest rates of economic and population growth of all the developing nations as well as being a biologically and culturally rich country. Therefore, finding the delicate balance between development and nature conservation is very important. Unfortunately, more attention and resources are currently committed to India's economic development than to conservation of biodiversity, and the resulting rapid increase in roads and vehicles is causing numerous ecological problems.
The extensive road networks within and around protected areas are a major challenge for conserving biodiversity.
Roads to religious enclaves inside forests are an increasing threat to wildlife.
India needs ecological principles in its road‐construction policies, stronger political will and simple engineering solutions to effectively avoid and mitigate road impacts.
India and its citizens have historically shown tremendous respect to wildlife, and a lot can be achieved based on this understanding. The lessons in this chapter demonstrate that solutions to many of the problems associated with roads and traffic can and have been found through dialogue between the stakeholders.
Road Ecology in South India
Issues and Mitigation Opportunities
Handbook of Road Ecology ; 425-429
2015-04-01
5 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
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