The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced on 8 October 2026 that it has released a document titled ‘Wildlife Mitigation Measures & Structures’. This framework details how NHAI balances highway connectivity with environmental sustainability to reduce habitat fragmentation and animal-vehicle collisions. Over the last five years, the agency has invested around Rs 19,700 crore in wildlife mitigation and environmental safeguards. The release does not say when the framework takes effect, but it serves as a reference for National Highway projects across the country.
Key points
- Around Rs 19,700 crore invested in wildlife mitigation and environmental safeguards in last five years
- More than 2,150 wildlife mitigation structures constructed or proposed nationwide
- Rs 8,300 crore spent on viaducts and Rs 4,600 crore on animal underpasses
- Guide fencing and noise barriers provided at over 300 km of highway alignments
- Framework includes structural measures like overpasses and non-structural measures like signage
When it applies
- National Wildlife Week