Bengaluru: For once the central government was liberal towards state government. This time it was the Ministry of Environment and Forests which allowed 50 meters extra space for Elephant Corridor though the state forest department sought only 25 meters. However the magnanimity by the centre will reduce the forest cover by 33 hectares and 6000 trees will disappear!
The issue of creating an elephant corridor on the proposed four lane national highway between Mangalore and Hassan came up for discussion during a meeting  between central and state forest officials.

Based on their past experience the state official requested the central team  to provide 25 meters for a underpass to enable elephants to cross over near Kodaikal in Shiradi ghat area.

In the earlier instance state government was provided with 25 meters for a similar purpose on Mysore – Manandwadi road. Based on this fact the state forest officials submitted a proposal for 25 meters for the elephant corridor near Kodaikal in Shiradi ghat area. However after examining the state proposal the central team felt that, it said 50 mts will not facilitate free movement of wild elephants through the underpass and increased the area of the corridor to 75 meters.

Though central team had an upper hand in the deliberations, their decision according to reports will reduce the forest cover by 33 hectares and will result in chopping down 6000  forest trees near the corridor.

It remains to be seen whether elephants will have a free ride when they cross over frequently   or the road users who use the four lane highway?

Ultimately the corridor may provide enough room for wild elephants and highway users with less breathing space!