A move to check wild animals from being killed in accidents, Bhandara collector MJ Pradeep has recently directed to close three roads passing through the Koka wild life sanctuary between 6pm and 6am.The night traffic ban is a result of frequent wild animal deaths on this area.
He also ordered a speed restriction for the vehicles to 20 kmph on these roads during the day.However; ambulances, local villagers and transport of their farm produce are exempted from this ban.
As per information, the roads include Sakoli-Tumsar state highway, 6 km of which passes through five reserve forest compartments of Koka, while Bhandara-Kardi via Salehetti passes 12km and 1.54km respectively, through six and one sanctuary compartments. As per official source, the roads in the above patches were mostly used as shortcut during the night by heavy vehicles for illegal transportation.
Koka forest connects New Nagzira and Nagzira wildlife Sanctuaries and long dispersing animals like gaurs and tigers move frequently on these roads during night. The sanctuary also acts as a corridor between Navegaon-Nagzira and Umred-Karhandla wild life sanctuary.
