Soon, check posts to ensure no animals are killed by vehicles

The state Forest department is planning to set up check posts in Gorumara and Lataguri to check the speed limit of vehicles which often lead to accidents killing wild animals.

The Forest department has taken up an elaborate scheme to set up two check posts along the two forest ranges beside National Highway-31. Forest department officials believe that this will also help in checking the stalking of animals.

It was often alleged that people travelling in vehicles stock the animals. They also try to capture photographs of the animals that are found crossing the road. The department has also fixed the upward limit of speed at 40 kmph along the stretches that go through the forest areas. CCTVs will also be installed at the check posts.

The step was taken to ensure that not a single animal is killed by a speeding vehicle. Earlier, the department had taken up various initiatives to check the speed of vehicles. The maximum speed limit was fixed but the vehicles used to flout the norms.

This time, a strict vigil will be conducted to ensure that vehicles do not over speed between the check posts. After conducting a thorough examination, the Forest department officials will fix a minimum time to cover the stretch.

If any vehicle is found to have covered the distance in a lesser time than what is prescribed, action will be taken against the offending vehicle. The Forest department officials believe that the move will be able to check the deaths of animals by accidents.

"Apart from accidents the new initiative will also protect the animals from being stalked. People often stock the animals while travelling on the road passing through the forest. CCTV footages will be installed in the check posts too," a senior forest department official said.