MONKEYS MEET WITH ACCIDENTS IN SPITE OF SPL LADDERS

NAVI MUMBAI: Despite the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) building a bridge for monkeys to cross the Mumbai-Goa Highway at the Karnala Bird Sanctuary, the animals still meet with accidents at this stretch.

Forest officials claimed that monkeys continue to use the road as some motorists feed them. They added that the 2km stretch of the park that passes from the highway needs at least four monkey ladders and rumblers to control vehicular speed.

A monkey from Karnala Bird Sanctuary suffered severe injuries after being hit by a vehicle on the Mumbai-Goa Highway on August 21. Monkeys in the sanctuary often go to jungles on the other side by crossing the road.

NHAI developed a ladder across the highway for the monkeys last month.

A forest official said, “While writing the request letters to NHAI, we did not mention the number of ladders required in that area, assuming they will conduct surveys and decide the numbers on their own. However, they developed only one ladder near the entrance of the sanctuary, and hence the monkeys are still crossing the highway.

“Another reason behind the accidents is the speeding vehicles. In an effort to ensure that vehicles cannot speed in this area, we have written three letters to NHAI, requesting them to put rumblers on that stretch.”

Prashant Fegade, project director of NHAI (Panvel division), said, “If we receive requests from them for rumblers or some more monkey ladders, we will think it over.”