Biodiversity corridors connect isolated patches of habitat and help conserve local species populations
Along the 36-kilometre road straddling between the districts of Karo and Langkat in North Sumatra, more than 2,000 vehicles are seen driving at great speeds every day. Cars and motorcycles zip across the pavement that cuts through the immensely biodiverse GLNP, the last place where orangutans, tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, and leopards live together.
While highways that wind along forests such as Karo-Langkat Road were developed to connect humans, they pose a major dilemma for animals that live in the area. Crossing the road would put wildlife at risk of injury, or worse, death, in a car collision. But if they chose to stay put, they would risk separation from their families.
For arboreal animals such as orangutans, which heavily populate the GLNP, roads also prove to be a barrier as these create huge gaps between tree canopies used to move around.
As part of the efforts to reduce roadkill incidents involving wildlife, a biodiversity survey was conducted on the impact of the Karo-Langkat road construction. Supported by the SGP, the surveys and monitoring were used by GLNP managers in making decisions regarding the protection and management of biodiversity of the national park.
In the case of the Karo-Langkat road survey, the findings were crucial in identifying the location of wildlife corridors, which seek to connect two or more natural habitats of animals that have been disrupted by the highway. Researchers recommended additional 11 locations to serve as natural canopy bridges for arboreal animals, while another site was determined to be the most ideal for terrestrial wildlife corridors or bridges.
In addition to carrying out surveys and monitoring, the programme allowed the grantees to put up two monitoring posts, warning road signs, and information regarding the presence of wildlife in the area.
The findings from the biodiversity survey for the Karo-Langkat road construction revealed that coexistence is possible connecting people without hampering the free movement of wildlife in their natural habitat.
