HONNAVAR: The Lion-tailed Macaques (LTM) in the Aghanashini valley, now a conservation reserve, are facing the threat of losing their habitat as the Forest Department is under intense pressure to allow construction of roads here.
In 2011, the state government declared 29,000 hectares of Aghanashini valley in Uttara Kannada district as a conservation reserve. The reserve, with about 620 macaques, was considered to have the world’s largest LTM population.
This so far untouched evergreen patch is considered the best habitat for this primate which is listed as a critically endangered species by the International Union of Conservation Network. Trouble started when the Forest Department officials were asked to respond to a long-pending proposal of the PWD seeking clearance to construct two state highways through these dense forests.
“Two roads are being planned in Honnavar taluk— one from Salkod to Doddamane running approximately 40 km and another to Mettinagadde to Malagallu, about 12 km in length,” a Forest Department source said.
Wildlife enthusiasts say alternative routes can be explored which will be just 16 km more than the planned routes.
“It is only the local politicians and the timber mafia who want the road project to be implemented. The roads planned are wide state highways, while even a pathway cannot be permitted considering the forest houses rich fauna,” sources said.
The Forest Department rejected the highways proposal citing violations under the Forest Conservation Act and State Board for Wildlife guidelines, which say that assent to construct roads requires clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Stating how the LTM groups have gone extinct in several places wherever there is habitat fragmentation, wildlife biologist K Santosh, who is working on arboreals here since the last 10 years, said the primates are present around Kodigadde village area near Siddapura, which is considered the northernmost tip. “If the road is constructed on this stretch, it will further lead to shrinkage of LTM habitat and eliminate about 150 individuals,” he said.
Santosh has written to the Additional Chief Secretary seeking to stop the road construction. In a letter dated October 9 , he has said that widening the road means violation of SC order. Stating that the region is a critical LTM habitat, he has pointed out that a few vested interests are behind this project. Pointing out that PWD has called for tenders for the road, he has urged the secretary to instruct the Honnavar DFO to initiate action.
When contacted, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Jayaram said he has not received any proposal for forest clearance but he will discuss the matter with the Forest Clearance wing.
Deaths due to canopy fragmentation
The lion-tailed macaques being arboreal, require a canopy to dwell. Fragmentation of the green canopy not only restricts their movement, but also deprives them of food and habitat. This region, according to Santosh, has witnessed deaths of macaques due to electric shocks, road kills.
Threats from the project
The roads will also expose the forest for several illegal activities like harvesting of unsustainable non-timber forest produce, leaf litter collection for manure, poaching and others.
