New Delhi, April 10, 2026:In a significant step toward sustainable infrastructure, the National Highways Authority of India in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India has released a detailed study confirming the effectiveness of wildlife mitigation measures along the Delhi Dehradun Economic Corridor.
The report titled Landscapes Reconnected presents the first concrete evidence of wild animals actively using specially designed underpasses along the highway. The findings underline that infrastructure development and environmental conservation can successfully go hand in hand when planned strategically.
The study was conducted across an 18 kilometre stretch between Ganeshpur and Asharodi, a region known for its rich biodiversity and presence of species such as elephants, tigers, and hornbills. This section includes nearly 11 kilometres of dedicated animal underpasses, forming one of Asia’s largest wildlife movement corridors with an elevated structure designed to allow even large mammals to pass freely.
Researchers divided the study area into multiple zones covering varied terrain including riverbeds, forested regions, and hilly landscapes. Using advanced monitoring tools such as camera traps and acoustic sensors over a 40 day period, the team recorded over one lakh images capturing human activity, domestic animals, and wildlife presence.
Out of these, more than 40 thousand images confirmed the movement of 18 different wild species through the underpasses. Species such as golden jackals, nilgai, sambar, and spotted deer were frequently observed, while smaller animals like the Indian hare also showed consistent usage. Importantly, elephants were recorded crossing the corridor multiple times, demonstrating the effectiveness of the design for even the largest species.
The study also highlighted the role of sound management in influencing animal behaviour. While some species adapted to traffic noise, others preferred quieter sections of the corridor, indicating the need for noise reduction measures to improve usage further.
Officials noted that such infrastructure has significantly reduced the chances of human wildlife conflict and prevented habitat fragmentation in the ecologically sensitive Shivalik region. The project serves as a model for future highway developments aiming to balance growth with biodiversity conservation.
The findings reinforce the government’s focus on integrating environmental safeguards into large scale infrastructure projects, ensuring that development does not come at the cost of ecological sustainability.
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