Chennai, June 13 (BPNS)
Tamil Nadu forest department has advised motorists traveling by Coimbatore- Bengaluru National Highway 948 not to halt their vehicles on the Dhimbam- Hasanur route of Satyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR). The forest department has taken this initiative as wild animals frequently cross the stretch at many points and to prevent human-animal conflict motorists are directed not to halt vehicles in this stretch.
The motorists are also directed to move at a speed of 30km/hour in the stretch and to keep a low sound not to disturb animals.
The forest department of Hasanur also directed tourists who are traveling the stretch not to take selfies of wild animals and not to stop the vehicles. The motorists are directed not to throw any plastic waste into the forest area.
According to the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 and Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882 motorists should not feed wild animals, litter, or smoke in the forest areas and should not trespass into forest reserve as it is offensive and punishable.
The Hasanur forest range office organized an awareness programme in which pamphlets were distributed to motorists traveling through the stretch. A motorcycle rally was also conducted to create awareness from Karappalam check post to Dhimbam.
It may be noted that the Madras High Court has also directed that the vehicles moving in this stretch should reduce the speed as also sound must be as low as possible.
