A Crucial Stand-Off: Madras High Court Demands Answers on Kallar Elephant Corridor Flyover

In a move that underscores the persistent tension between infrastructure development and vital wildlife conservation, the Madras High Court has issued a stern directive, demanding a comprehensive status report from the State regarding the contentious flyover proposed over the Kallar elephant corridor.

This pivotal corridor, nestled between Mettupalayam and Ooty, is a lifeline for Nilgiri elephants, and its integrity is now under intense judicial scrutiny.

The court's demand arose during the ongoing hearing of a petition filed by OSA Arun Kumar, a dedicated advocate for environmental preservation.

The petitioner has consistently highlighted that the planned flyover, an integral part of a larger elevated road project, poses an existential threat to this critical migratory path. Its construction, he argues, would inevitably fragment the elephant corridor, disrupting the ancient movement patterns of these magnificent creatures and significantly increasing the risk of fatal accidents involving wildlife.

The extensive project envisages a 22-kilometre elevated road, with a particularly sensitive 3.2-kilometre stretch slated to pass directly over the Kallar elephant corridor.

This specific section has become the focal point of the environmental debate, as experts and conservationists raise alarms about the irreversible damage it could inflict on the fragile ecosystem and its inhabitants.

This isn't the first time the issue has caught the court's attention. In a previous directive, the Madras High Court mandated a thorough study by the esteemed Asian Nature Conservation Foundation (ANCF).

Their findings were unequivocal: while acknowledging the need for connectivity, the ANCF report strongly recommended either an underground pass or an overpass (flyover) that would unequivocally maintain the ecological integrity of the corridor. The core message was clear – any development must not impede the natural flow of wildlife.

However, the petitioner contends that the current design of the proposed flyover falls woefully short of these recommendations.

He asserts that the design is fundamentally flawed and, rather than safeguarding the corridor, would ironically fail to serve its intended purpose of allowing safe elephant passage, thereby nullifying the very objective of constructing an elevated structure.

The Madras High Court has maintained a vigilant watch over this critical environmental concern for an extended period, reflecting a deep-seated commitment to wildlife protection.

Records reveal that the court had issued significant orders regarding elephant conservation and the protection of these vital corridors as far back as 2011 and 2013, demonstrating a consistent and proactive stance on the issue. With the fate of the Kallar corridor hanging in the balance, all eyes are now on the State's response and the subsequent proceedings, scheduled for April 22.