The wildlife activists and the locals in Karnataka have launched 'Save Bandipur - Night Traffic Beda' campaign at Moolehole forest check post to oppose any move to relax the night traffic ban or to increase the number of Kerala state-run buses exempted from the ban.
There is a raging debate about opening the NH 766 for night traffic, through the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. But the Supreme Court has banned traffic between 9pm to 6am, as Bandipur is an inviolate area and critical habitat for the tiger. But after Wayanad Parliamentarian Priyanka Gandhi Vadra assured her voters to get the ban revoked, the ruling Congress in Karnataka is under pressure to lift the ban. However, the restriction was imposed by the Supreme Court in 2009.
Senior journalist and wildlife activist Joseph Hoover, who is part of the protest said, "We urge the Karnataka government not to yield to any political pressure as smuggling through this route is rampant. The HC had banned the traffic movement in 2009 considering it had become a smuggling route. In October 2018, also we staged a protest to ban night traffic. The ban is in place only between 9 pm and 6 am and the rest of the time, there is free movement. The NH 86 has been upgraded as an alternative road at a cost of Rs 76 crore. Now, why are they (businessmen) insisting on travelling through the forest? Smugglers, Hawala, sugar, timber and sand lobbies are behind this."
The green brigade is demanding for conservation of elephants, tigers, wild dogs, deer, reptiles and nocturnal birds, which have been run over by speeding vehicles plying towards Wayanad, Calicut and Gundlupet.
"Bandipur is classified as a critical wildlife habitat. Tigers, elephants and other wildlife pass through this road. Tiger is an umbrella species and if we protect tigers, we can protect several sq km of forest land. Prior to the ban we used to witness 90 wildlife deaths a month," said Kiran, a Mysuru-based naturalist.
Karnataka forest minister Eshwar Khandre, who held an emergency meeting said the state would maintain the status quo. It may be recalled that there have been several litigations over the night traffic ban on NH-766 (previously NH-212) that passes through Bandipur and connects Kozhikode-Kollegal. The night ban was opposed by the Kerala government in 2010, when the Karnataka High Court restored the ban citing wildlife killings, but allowed a restricted and equal number of road transport corporation buses from both states to ply during the banned hours. Kerala challenged the HC order in the Supreme Court.
On August 7, 2019, the apex court upheld the nine-hour night traffic ban (NTB) – from 9 pm to 6 am, and directed the Centre to come up with permanent measures to avoid highways inside core areas of tiger reserves. The Centre had filed an affidavit supporting Karnataka’s stand of continuing the night ban to protect tigers, elephants, deer, leopards and other wildlife.
An interlocutory application was filed by Baiju Paul Mathews in the apex court seeking to increase the number of state-run buses during the night hours. Currently, four buses from each state are being allowed and the plea stated that there was a surge in passenger traffic during festivals and holidays. The Karnataka government will be filing a fresh affidavit in the case.
Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Wadiyar strongly opposed the move stating suggestion to revoke the ban only revealed a “concerning disregard” for the preservation of our nation's fragile ecosystems. "Bandipur is not just a road—it is a critical habitat for countless species that deserve protection from the encroachments of human activity, especially during the vulnerable hours of the night. The recent statement attributed to Priyanka Gandhi about reconsidering the ban reflects a serious disconnect within the Congress leadership. The Chief Minister has categorically denied any such proposal, while top leaders from the party suggest otherwise. This lack of alignment raises doubts about the sincerity and consistency of their governance," said Yaduveer.
The scion of the Mysore royal family also stated that political leaders must demonstrate foresight and a commitment to safeguarding the natural heritage of this country, rather than succumbing to opportunistic promises that might benefit a few at the cost of irreparable ecological damage. "Karnataka deserves a government that speaks with one voice and acts in the best interests of its people and its environment," he asserted.