12 deer killed in six months on national highways

NEW DELHI - At least 12 deer have been killed by carelessly driven vehicles during the last six months in three states on national highways passing through forests, national parks and sanctuaries, parliament was informed Wednesday.

“Incidents of killing of wildlife, including deer, by fast moving vehicles on the national highways do take place sometimes. Such cases are generally due to rash and careless driving on the national highways passing through forests, national parks and sanctuaries,” Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh told the Lok Sabha.

Ramesh was responding to a query by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Arjun Meghwal on whether incidents of killing of deer by vehicles on national highways take place.

“As per the information available in the ministry - 9, 2 and 1 death of deer has taken place in the states of Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu respectively during the last six months,” he said.

To avoid such incidents, Ramesh said, “provisions are made for creating underpasses and overpasses on the vulnerable points for the vehicles to ensure safe movement of wildlife.”

“Speed breakers are set up at appropriate locations to control the speed of moving vehicles and display boards and caution notices are put up along the highways passing through the protected areas,” he added.

Some state governments have issued orders restricting movement of vehicles during night hours on highways passing through the important wildlife areas, the minister added.