This is with reference to the recent news about the deer killed in a vehicle collision while crossing the road in Anekadu Reserve Forest. This is not the first incident through which the private vehicles killing wild Animals in Kodagu by over speeding in the stretch at the district border wherein the minimum speed being maintained by buses to LCV to cars is nothing between 60 – 140 kms per hour this resulting in such merciless killing and injury of wild animals that cross and graze along the stretch! Deer’s are one of the most commonly hit animals on the road, and they are often hit by the cars while crossing the road or when startled by vehicles. Many Animals prefer to be on the move at night or at dusk and so one has to be extra careful at these times of the day. Drivers should take the danger sign wildlife crossing seriously, reduce their speed and keep an eye on the edge of the road. Distracted driving, drunk and drugged driving, poor weather, reckless driving and road rage, improper turns mostly cause wildlife- animal collisions. Whether the deer, dog, moose or squirrel, animals on the roadway are unexpected, and their actions can be erratic and unpredictability, creating a dangerous situation for motorists. This happens mainly because of the close interaction of human and wildlife habitats, which cause invaluable harm to animals and humans. One has to be extra cautious at dawn and dusk because most animals especially deer, tend to be more active early in the morning and at dusk. The Government of Karnataka must act strict on the drivers. The night vehicular movement in Kodagu be banned. If not, this can’t be done only to please their vote bank, at least speed checkers can be installed along the stretch and any vehicle exceed the set speed limit be fined heavily at the entry and exit point of these stretches. If Government have any sympathy towards wild lives, we hope they will act. All traffic should be stopped during night time into the forest area. But corrupt forest department will let traffic in when you pay them! There are two options to avoid a collision. Brake and stop before you hit them or swerve and pass behind them in order to avoid collisions.
Kodandera Mamatha Subbaiah
