Bandipur Tiger Reserve night traffic ban: Big protests - Big explainer

Since September 25th suggestion of Supreme Court to Union Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change to submit an alternate route to NH 766 so ro can be permanently closed, Kerala has witnessed a colossal opposition. On October 3rd, Wayan MP, Rahul Gandhi also came down to his constituency where protests were epicenter, to show solidarity with protestors. 

Bandipora

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NH 766

NH 766 is a national high that connects Kozhikode in Kerala with Kollegala in Karnataka and eventually IT capital Bengaluru. A stretch of highway, about 19 kilometers, passes through Bandipur National Park and after environmentalists and wildlife conservationists argued that wild animals are getting affected due to vehicular movement, stretch passing through forest has been closed between 9 pm and 6 am. 

alternate route is much longer as it required a deviation from NH 766  and passing through towns like Gonikoppal and Hunsur and also circumvents important junctions like Sulthan Bary and Gundlupet. Lack of an alternate avenue that connects all important towns in rrn Kerala to parts of Karnataka has me NH 766 a crucial route for villrs in both states. 

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How was night-ban implemented?

In 2009, under Central Motor Vehicle Act and Karnataka Motor Vehicle Rules, Chamarajanagar district ministration banned vehicular traffic on Bandipur forest stretch from 9 pm to 6 am. This ban was revoked by Chamarajanagar district collector whose decision is challenged by Karnataka High Court.  In its final order in 2010, Karnataka HC stayed ban and despite a petition by n Kerala government against it in SC, ban has remained. 

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Arguments in favor of ban:

According to forest officials and multiple environmentalists, vehicular movement along 19 k stretch of NH 766 would directly result in death of hundreds of animals in forest range. ir argument is that behavioral pattern and population density of wildlife in Bandipur National Park was versely being impacted, particularly with vehicles at night. 

Bandipur National Park which spans over 870 square kilometers, is home to several endangered species of animals and has one of largest populations of Indian Elephants in India. 

suggestion is that alternate routes albeit longer can be developed by both Karnataka and Kerala governments to ensure smooth movement of villrs and passengers between two states. 

Arguments against ban: 

NH 766 t just links many important towns and vills in Kerala and Karnataka but also acts as a source of tre and commerce. It is also an important thrust to tourism of both states along with directly linked to development of Wayan district.

affirmation of protestors is that substitute ros being suggested don't pass through all crucial junctions and also lengthy by at least 35 kilometers.

Politics behind NH 766

All political parties in Kerala have been against ban as, for people living in districts like Wayan, Kozhikode, issue is a matter of ir livelihoods and a very emotional one. Even in 2009, when ban was initially put in place, all parties including CP(M) and Congress in Kerala h endorsed demand for revocation of ban. same stand continues and is furr amplified with Rahul Gandhi firmly vocating demands of protestors.

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Karnataka CM: lifting of Ban

Consecutive governments in Karnataka, including those heed by Congress party, have maintained that y are opposed to free and unrestricted vehicular movement along NH 766, especially through Bandipur.  present Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa too, on Thursday restated his state’s stand that he will and cant go against court order that has banned plying of vehicles at night.

Current hunger strike and protest:

Ever since SC suggested a permanent stopp of vehicles through Bandipur, protests in wayan escalated, demanding for ir right to ir livelihood and development. Students from schools and colleges, trers and drivers, politicians and farmers, people from all walks of life have come toger and are demanding in unison that ir right to NH 766 should t be snatched away. Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan too has petitioned with union minister of forest and environment to give ir side, a fair hearing.