Bandipur: The busy road between Mysore and Ooty is a busy tourist route, and is also a connecting road between Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. But it also happens to cut through the Bandipur National Park, and that's not such great news for the animals.
A huge number of animals, including a tiger, have been killed by vehicles over the years.
"Starting from 2004 to 2007, it was 91 mammals, 56 birds and 75 reptiles. We never expected the number of mammals to rise up to 91. It is higher than poaching," said Rajkumar, Wildlife Conservation Foundation.
The DC of Chamarajnagar enforced a ban on night traffic through the park in June last year. This was lifted following objections mainly from traders in Kerala. The Karnataka High Court's intervention was then sought, and the night ban is now back in place.
"Bandipur is one of our best tiger areas and a lot of animals were getting killed on this road due to reckless driving. At night due to the lights that are used, the animals are blinded and get disoriented," said Praveen Bhargav, Trustee, Wildlife First.
NDTV drove to the main gate after 9 pm, and clearly not all human beings agree with the night traffic ban.
"It is very difficult to carry load. A two day journey becomes a three day journey," said Ravi, a truck driver.
Conservationists believe in the national parks, animals need the right of way, and stopping traffic at night is a step in this direction.