New Delhi | April 10, 2026 — A landmark study conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in collaboration with NHAI has confirmed that the wildlife mitigation measures on the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor are highly effective. The report, titled ‘Landscapes Reconnected’, provides empirical evidence that unique wild species are actively using the newly constructed underpasses to navigate the Shivalik landscape.
Key Findings: A Thriving Underpass Ecosystem
The 40-day monitoring program utilized 150 high-tech camera traps and acoustic recorders along the 18 km Ganeshpur–Asharodi section.
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Species Diversity: The study captured over 40,444 images of 18 unique wild species utilizing the underpasses.
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Major Sightings: Frequent users included Golden Jackals, Nilgai, Sambar, and Spotted Deer.
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Elephant Crossings: Significantly, the study recorded 60 instances of elephants safely using the corridors, proving that even the largest mammals can navigate the infrastructure without disruption to migration patterns.
Engineering for Conservation
The corridor features a 10.97 km long animal underpass, including one of Asia’s largest elevated wildlife corridors, standing 6 to 7 meters high.
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Acoustic Management: Research found that soundscape management is vital; while some species have habituated to traffic noise, sensitive animals like elephants and spotted deer prefer segments with lower sound levels.
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Future Mitigation: NHAI plans to deploy advanced noise-reduction barriers in high-frequency crossing areas to further assist noise-sensitive species.
Mitigating Conflict
By providing dedicated paths for wildlife, the project has successfully:
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Reduced Human-Wildlife Conflict: Minimizing the chances of accidents on the high-speed corridor.
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Prevented Population Isolation: Ensuring ecological connectivity remains intact within the ecologically sensitive Shivalik range.
This study reaffirms that strategic engineering—such as elevated corridors and underpasses—allows for the coexistence of large-scale infrastructure and biodiversity conservation.
