Heavy Vehicle Traffic Triggers Spike in Wildlife Deaths at Kawal Tiger Reserve
HYDERABAD: A recent study has found a sharp rise in wildlife deaths after authorities allowed heavy vehicles through the Kawal Tiger Reserve.
Specifically, researchers recorded 873 roadkills in September and October 2025. These deaths occurred along three key routes—Jannaram-Nirmal, Adilabad-Jannaram, and Jannaram-Mancherial. Moreover, authorities opened these roads to heavy vehicles during the day in August 2025, which significantly increased traffic.
Hotspots and patterns identified
Importantly, the study marks the first detailed assessment of roadkills in the reserve. It found that the highest mortality occurred near a 0.5-km stretch at Birsaipet crossroads.
Additionally, most deaths took place close to water bodies, where animals gather frequently. Therefore, these areas have emerged as critical risk zones.
Policy shift allowed heavy vehicles
Earlier, authorities had restricted heavy vehicles, although daytime traffic was permitted since 2012. Meanwhile, a bypass developed by the National Highways Authority of India had diverted such traffic away from the reserve.
However, transporters and local political leaders opposed the longer route. They argued that it increased fuel costs and travel time. As a result, the forest department allowed heavy vehicles to pass through the reserve from August 4, 2025.
58 species affected, including threatened wildlife
The study, conducted by a student of AVC College, Annamalai University, documented 873 deaths across a 54-km stretch. In total, it affected 58 species.
Notably, the casualties included jungle cats, Indian palm civets, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Furthermore, researcher Sunderareshwaram Sundara Vadivel said that 29 deaths involved near-threatened species. These include the Indian rock python, Indian flying fox, and the vulnerable flapshell turtle.
He also noted that the study focused only on roadkills. It did not examine other impacts such as noise, pollution, or habitat disruption.
Many animals unidentifiable
In addition, the study found that 98 animals were too badly damaged to identify. These included 45 amphibians, 33 snakes, 12 birds, and eight rodents.
Measures suggested to reduce deaths
Finally, researchers recommended several steps to reduce wildlife deaths. For instance, they suggested enforcing speed limits, installing speed breakers, and placing warning signs along these routes.
