Mumbai: To preserve a wildlife habitat alongside Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg (MSM), Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India.
According to the MoU, a study of wildlife habitats will be undertaken through the forest area where the Expressway is passing. After construction of the Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway (NMSCEW), measures will be taken to ensure the wildlife moves freely. The institute will submit the recommendation report to MSRDC and provide guidance on steps required for this. Care will be taken so there is no threat to the wildlife.
The Wildlife Institute of India, falling under Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), will partner with MSRDC till completion of Maharashtra Samrudhi Mahamarg. This is for the first time in the country that any infrastructure development project will focus on wildlife conservation work.
Radheshyam Mopalwar, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of MSRDC said, “MSRDC is sensitive towards the issue of conserving wildlife and committed to maintain their habitat. We are determined that Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg will serve as a model project for the protection of wildlife. Therefore, we are extremely keen to develop the interest of wildlife in the sanctuaries falling along the Expressway. The corporation recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, which will cooperate with us for protecting the wildlife during the construction of the Expressway.”
Two wildlife sanctuaries fall within 26 talukas and 390 villages that will be connected through NMSCEW, also known as Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, in addition to three major cities of Nagpur, Aurangabad and Mumbai. Many wildlife habitats dwell in these sanctuaries. MSRDC has decided to take help from the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun to see to it that the wildlife does not suffer from vehicular traffic and pose any problem due to construction of the Expressway.
