NHAI And WII Show Underpasses Aid Wildlife On Delhi-Dehradun Corridor
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

NHAI And WII Show Underpasses Aid Wildlife On Delhi-Dehradun Corridor

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) released a report titled Landscapes Reconnected documenting the first evidence of wildlife using animal underpasses on the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor. The study demonstrates that highway development can coexist with preservation of ecologically sensitive areas and provides empirical findings on wildlife mitigation measures. The report follows monitoring along the Ganeshpur to Asharodi section of the corridor.

The research was conducted along an 18 km stretch between Ganeshpur and Asharodi and includes 10.97 km of animal underpass and an elevated corridor averaging six to seven metres in height. The study area was divided into three zones covering flat riverbed, hilly terrain and mixed Sal forest in the Shivalik range. The methodology comprised a 40-day monitoring programme using 150 camera traps and 29 acoustic recorders.

The monitoring recorded 111,234 images of humans, domestic animals and wildlife, of which 40,444 images were attributed to 18 wild species using the underpasses, including carnivores, herbivores, ungulates, pheasants and primates. The golden jackal was most frequently captured followed by nilgai, sambar and spotted deer while smaller mammals such as the Indian hare also regularly used the structures. The study recorded 60 instances of elephants using the corridors, indicating that even the largest animals can navigate the infrastructure to maintain migration patterns.

Analysis identified strategic soundscape management as a primary factor influencing underpass use and showed that generalist species have habituated to higher traffic sound while noise-sensitive species use quieter segments. The report recommends targeted noise reduction measures including sound barriers in high-frequency crossing areas to enhance passage for sensitive species and reduce human-wildlife conflict. The findings underscore reductions in the risk of population isolation in the Shivalik landscape and NHAI will continue to adopt data-driven mitigation strategies to balance infrastructure growth with biodiversity conservation.

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) released a report titled Landscapes Reconnected documenting the first evidence of wildlife using animal underpasses on the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor. The study demonstrates that highway development can coexist with preservation of ecologically sensitive areas and provides empirical findings on wildlife mitigation measures. The report follows monitoring along the Ganeshpur to Asharodi section of the corridor. The research was conducted along an 18 km stretch between Ganeshpur and Asharodi and includes 10.97 km of animal underpass and an elevated corridor averaging six to seven metres in height. The study area was divided into three zones covering flat riverbed, hilly terrain and mixed Sal forest in the Shivalik range. The methodology comprised a 40-day monitoring programme using 150 camera traps and 29 acoustic recorders. The monitoring recorded 111,234 images of humans, domestic animals and wildlife, of which 40,444 images were attributed to 18 wild species using the underpasses, including carnivores, herbivores, ungulates, pheasants and primates. The golden jackal was most frequently captured followed by nilgai, sambar and spotted deer while smaller mammals such as the Indian hare also regularly used the structures. The study recorded 60 instances of elephants using the corridors, indicating that even the largest animals can navigate the infrastructure to maintain migration patterns. Analysis identified strategic soundscape management as a primary factor influencing underpass use and showed that generalist species have habituated to higher traffic sound while noise-sensitive species use quieter segments. The report recommends targeted noise reduction measures including sound barriers in high-frequency crossing areas to enhance passage for sensitive species and reduce human-wildlife conflict. The findings underscore reductions in the risk of population isolation in the Shivalik landscape and NHAI will continue to adopt data-driven mitigation strategies to balance infrastructure growth with biodiversity conservation.

Next Story
Real Estate

Dubai Real Estate Sales Reach AED48 Billion

Dubai’s real estate market recorded 13,977 sales transactions worth AED48 billion in April 2026, reflecting continued resilience across residential and commercial segments.According to a market update by fäm Properties, sales volume rose 3.5 per cent month-on-month compared to March, while total sales value increased by 10.7 per cent. The commercial sector, including offices and shops, recorded the strongest growth, with 561 transactions valued at AED4 billion, up 33.9 per cent year-on-year and 36.2 per cent month-on-month.Apartment sales rose 6.5 per cent month-on-month to 11,377 transacti..

Next Story
Real Estate

Casagrand Launches 35-Acre Hyderabad Project

Casagrand has launched Casagrand Vybe, its largest residential project in Hyderabad, spread across 35 acres in Rajendra Nagar. The launch marks the company’s fifth residential rollout in 2026 and strengthens its expansion momentum in the city.As part of its Hyderabad growth strategy, Casagrand is adding 3.98 million sq ft of residential space to its portfolio. Since entering the Hyderabad residential market in 2023, the company has scaled its presence with projects across key micro-markets. In 2025, it launched four projects — Casagrand Evon, Casagrand Windsor Court, Casagrand Belair and C..

Next Story
Technology

Bentley Event Spotlights AI Infrastructure

Bentley Systems recently hosted Illuminate Mumbai 2026, bringing together infrastructure leaders, policymakers, technology experts and academia to discuss how AI-driven engineering and digital twins can accelerate India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.The event focused on scaling intelligent and connected infrastructure ecosystems beyond digital adoption. Discussions covered the use of infrastructure AI, open data environments and digital twin technologies to improve project delivery, sustainability and long-term asset performance across key sectors.Kamalakannan Thiruvadi, Regional Exec..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement