Tripura Urges for Underpasses to Ensure Safe Elephant Crossing in Mungiakami Corridor
Tripura Urges for Underpasses to Ensure Safe Elephant Crossing in
Mungiakami Corridor
Tiasha Banerjee, Borok Times
March 17, 2025
The state of Tripura has called for the construction of underpasses to
ensure safe elephant crossings in the Mungiakami corridor. The Mungiakami
corridor, which lies along a vital wildlife route in Tripura, is a critical
habitat for elephants, and ensuring their safe passage through busy human
settlements has become an urgent matter. The call for underpasses
highlights the increasing conflict between the state’s growing
infrastructure needs and the preservation of its rich biodiversity.
The Growing Concern: Human-Elephant Conflict
In recent years, human-elephant conflicts have been on the rise in Tripura,
with several reports of elephants straying into populated areas in search
of food, water, and space. This increased frequency of elephant sightings
near human settlements has resulted in several fatalities, both human and
animal, and considerable damage to crops and property.
The Mungiakami corridor, a major migration route for elephants, lies at the
heart of the problem. As elephants travel between different parts of the
state, they often cross highways and other busy roads, leading to dangerous
encounters with vehicles. These crossings have not only put the lives of
the elephants at risk but also posed a significant threat to local
residents. In many cases, collisions between elephants and vehicles have
led to fatalities and severe injuries.
The situation has led to calls for immediate action to safeguard both human
and wildlife populations. Experts suggest that creating safe passageways
for elephants can help reduce conflicts and ensure the animals’ safe
movement between their natural habitats.
The Call for Underpasses: A Step Toward a Sustainable Solution
In response to the increasing threat posed by human-elephant conflict,
environmental groups, wildlife experts, and local communities have come
together to demand the construction of underpasses in the Mungiakami
corridor. Underpasses are tunnels or pathways that allow elephants to
safely cross roads and highways, thereby minimizing the risk of accidents
and reducing the need for elephants to come into direct contact with human
settlements.
According to environmentalists, underpasses are a tried-and-tested solution
to prevent wildlife from crossing busy roads. They have been successfully
implemented in other parts of India, such as in the Western Ghats and other
elephant corridors in Kerala and Karnataka. These underpasses have shown
positive results in reducing collisions between elephants and vehicles, and
they also help maintain the natural movement patterns of the animals.
In addition to underpasses, wildlife experts are advocating for a range of
other measures to improve elephant safety in the region. These include the
construction of overpasses, which are elevated pathways for elephants to
cross above roadways, as well as creating wildlife-friendly barriers along
roads to prevent elephants from venturing onto them.
The Mungiakami Corridor: A Vital Migration Route
The Mungiakami corridor is one of the most important wildlife corridors in
Tripura, connecting various elephant habitats across the state. It serves
as a crucial pathway for elephants to travel between the state’s protected
forests and wildlife sanctuaries. This corridor is particularly significant
for the state’s elephant population, which migrates through this route in
search of food, water, and mates.
The corridor is located near several busy roads and highways, including
National Highway 44, which runs through the region and connects Tripura to
other northeastern states. This highway sees heavy traffic, making it
extremely dangerous for elephants to cross. The absence of proper wildlife
crossings has exacerbated the problem, leading to numerous accidents and
fatalities in recent years.
Wildlife experts have long stressed the importance of preserving the
Mungiakami corridor and ensuring that elephants can move freely and safely
within it. If left unaddressed, the growing human-elephant conflict could
lead to further habitat destruction and the endangerment of the species in
the region.
Government’s Role and Responsibility
In response to the growing concerns, the Tripura government has
acknowledged the need for urgent measures to address human-elephant
conflicts in the state. Several government officials have expressed support
for the construction of underpasses and other wildlife-friendly
infrastructure to ensure the safety of elephants.
The government has also begun discussions with wildlife conservationists,
environmentalists, and local communities to determine the best solutions
for elephant conservation in the Mungiakami corridor. However, the
construction of such infrastructure requires significant investment,
planning, and coordination between various stakeholders.
Local communities, particularly those living near the Mungiakami corridor,
have also voiced their support for the proposal, emphasizing the need for a
balance between human development and wildlife preservation. Many people
have witnessed the devastating impact of elephant crossings on their lives,
from damaged crops to tragic accidents, and they are eager for a solution
that will ensure their safety while also protecting the animals.
A Step Toward Conservation and Coexistence
The demand for underpasses in the Mungiakami corridor is an important step
in addressing the challenges posed by human-wildlife conflict in Tripura.
By providing safe crossings for elephants, the state can help prevent
accidents, protect both humans and animals, and preserve the biodiversity
of the region.
Conservationists believe that creating a safe passage for elephants is not
only a win for wildlife but also a win for local communities, who will
benefit from reduced risks of accidents and damage to property. The
proposal to build underpasses is a forward-thinking solution that reflects
the growing recognition of the need for human-wildlife coexistence.
As the state of Tripura continues to face the challenges posed by
human-elephant conflict, the call for underpasses in the Mungiakami
corridor represents a crucial step toward ensuring the safe passage of
elephants while safeguarding the interests of local residents. With
increased support from the government, wildlife experts, and local
communities, this initiative has the potential to set a precedent for how
India can balance development with the preservation of its natural
heritage. The Mungiakami underpasses could serve as a model for other
states facing similar challenges, proving that with innovation and
cooperation, it is possible to find sustainable solutions for wildlife
conservation.