At Cross Roads

As human development continues unabated, the impact on wildlife is significant and far-reaching. Crossing a road is always dangerous, but more so for reptiles, because they take a longer time to cross on the other side compared to other wildlife species.

Behavioural patterns of ectotherms lead to interactions with roads for various reasons, including use of roads for thermoregulation or individuals having to cross roads that have been established within migratory routes to nesting or breeding sites, resulting in an increase in road-kills especially during the rainy season with peak snake activity i.e., foraging and reproduction.

Landcover type and elevation are important determinants of roadkill hotspots. To maintain ecological balance it is very imperative for our policymakers to inculcate wildlife roadkill mitigation measures in the roadway network at the design stage itself.

Across other countries like Canada, Germany, Italy, USA, there are mitigation measures such as the construction of underpasses or underground pipes along with fences that have proven to be yielding very tangible results. Also, implementing policies that can put a cap on speeding vehicles such as speed breakers, temporary closure of roads at night, when a majority of snake species are active, or during the breeding season of vulnerable species when their activity may be higher. Sustainable development is the only way forward!