Kaziranga National Park is located in Assam and is one of India’s most famous wildlife areas. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its one-horned rhinoceroses and Bengal tigers. The park has large grasslands, forests, and wetlands that attract many tourists and wildlife photographers every year.
To improve travel for local people and tourists, the Government of India has planned a new four-lane national highway near and through parts of Kaziranga. The main goal is to make travel easier but also protect the park’s wildlife. The government has set strict rules to make sure that development does not harm the environment.
People visiting the park by booking Kaziranga tour packages will still be able to enjoy its natural beauty because the government is giving high importance to wildlife protection during and after highway construction.
Details Of The Highway Project
The new highway will cover the Kaliabor to Numaligarh part of National Highway 37 (now called NH-715). The project is being handled by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and will cost about Rs 4,829.14 crore.
This project will change the existing road into a four-lane highway. Since it passes near Kaziranga National Park, the construction needs to be done with care to avoid harming the environment. Around 20.42 hectares of forest land from the park and about 364.98 hectares from nearby areas will be used for the project. These areas are part of the eco-sensitive zone.
To help animals move freely, the highway will include long elevated sections. This will help wildlife cross safely without coming in contact with vehicles. The main purpose is to improve transport while protecting Kaziranga’s plants and animals.
Role Of The National Board For Wildlife (NBWL)
Because the highway goes through a protected area, approval from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) was needed. After checking all details, the NBWL allowed the project but added many conditions to protect wildlife and their routes.
One very important rule is that no toll plazas can be built inside the forest or tiger reserve area of Kaziranga National Park. This is to avoid traffic jams, noise, and human disturbance inside the park.
The NBWL’s approval shows that both development and conservation can be done together if proper care is taken.
Main Conditions For Highway Construction
The NBWL has set clear rules for when and how the work can be done. Construction is not allowed between June and September, which is the flood season. During this time, many animals move to higher ground. Work must also stop between sunset and sunrise to avoid disturbing animals at night.
All flyovers must be at least nine metres high so that elephants, deer, and other large animals can safely pass under them. There will be three main elevated parts — around 20 km, 10 km, and 5 km long — to keep animal paths clear.
Tree cutting should be kept as low as possible, and a 15–20 metre distance must be maintained from nearby hills for safe animal movement. The Bagori section, an important area during floods, must be completely elevated and cannot be reduced in length.
These rules show that the project is being planned carefully to protect the park’s land and animals.
Safety And Monitoring Rules
To protect wildlife and travelers, safety measures will be added.
- Warning signs will alert drivers about animals.
- Forest check posts with CCTV will watch vehicles and wildlife.
- Speed will be controlled by automatic sensors in sensitive areas.
- Light and sound barriers will reduce noise and pollution.
- Two percent of project funds will go to a wildlife conservation fund.
- Construction must finish in 24 months.
These steps aim to keep Kaziranga National Park safe for animals and those booking Kaziranga tour packages.
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