hile travelling on the Sialkot Motorway towards Lahore, I came across a distressing sight: the carcasses of jackals, foxes, crested porcupines and mongooses scattered along the road. These lifeless bodies were a stark reminder of how development projects, like motorways, can harm wildlife by fragmenting their habitats and disrupting the ecological balance. Animals that once thrived in these areas now face deadly encounters with fast-moving vehicles. This invisible cost of progress highlights the urgent need for solutions.

Motorways, such as the Sialkot route, are essential for connectivity and economic growth. However, their design sometimes overlooks the natural movement patterns of wildlife. Animals instinctively follow established paths to find food, water and mates, only to face roads that present life-threatening obstacles. For nocturnal creatures like jackals and porcupines, the risk is even greater due to reduced visibility at night.

This experience inspired the idea of animal corridors: dedicated crossings like overpasses, underpasses and fencing systems that allow animals to cross roads safely. These structures are vital for preventing road-kills, maintaining biodiversity and enabling wildlife to perform their natural roles in ecosystems. The absence of such provisions on motorways like Sialkot’s poses a significant threat to many species.

If development projects in Pakistan include wildlife crossings as a standard practice, we can ensure progress without sacrificing nature. Sustainable development means creating a future where humans and wildlife coexist harmoniously.

The rapid development of infrastructure, including roads, motorways and railways, often fragments natural habitats, creating barriers for animals and leading to increased human-wildlife conflicts. Governments in many countries have integrated animal crossings into their infrastructure planning. For Pakistan, adopting these practices is essential to preserve its unique biodiversity.

Development projects disrupt natural habitats, leading to increased wildlife mortality as animals crossing busy roads face a high risk of accident. Fragmented habitats also result in biodiversity loss and human-wildlife conflict as animals encroach on human settlements in search of alternative routes or food. Pakistan’s diverse ecosystems, from the Himalayan highlands to coastal mangroves, are particularly vulnerable. Several species like the snow leopard, markhor, Indus dolphin and migratory birds are at risk due to infrastructure projects that did not provide for their protection in their plans.

Governments worldwide have implemented successful solutions to mitigate these challenges. In the Netherlands, wildlife bridges or eco-ducts allow animals like deer and badgers to cross highways safely. In Canada, the Banff Wildlife Crossings protect species like grizzly bears and elk using underpasses and overpasses. In India, wildlife corridors in Kaziranga National Park facilitate elephant and tiger migration. These examples show that integrating animal crossings into infrastructure is both feasible and effective.

Pakistan’s recent infrastructure expansion, especially under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, has significantly expanded its road and railway networks. However, many of these projects lack provisions for wildlife, despite passing through critical habitats such as Kirthar National Park, home to Sindh ibex and striped hyenas; Margalla Hills National Park, which shelters leopards and barking deer; and the Cholistan Desert, where chinkara gazelles and desert foxes reside.

To balance development with conservation, Pakistan must adopt practices to ensure safe animal passage. Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) focusing on wildlife corridors should be mandated. Wildlife crossings should be included as standard requirements in infrastructure design. Overpasses with vegetation, underpasses like tunnels or culverts and fencing systems can help direct animals towards designated crossings and prevent accidents.

Collaboration with conservationists is crucial. Working with experts to identify critical crossing points and studying animal movement patterns using GPS tracking and camera traps can lead to effective designs. Community awareness campaigns should educate locals about the importance of wildlife conservation and the role of crossings. Local communities can also help monitor and maintain these structures.

International funding from organisations like the Worldwide Fund for Nature and partnerships with countries experienced in wildlife crossings can provide technical expertise and financial support. The benefits of wildlife crossings include reduced accidents, ecosystem preservation and alignment with global sustainability goals.

Several ecosystems in the Punjab and Sindh face pressure from expanding infrastructure. In the Cholistan desert, chinkara gazelles require large areas for survival. The Salt Range and Kirthar National Park host diverse wildlife, and the Indus River basin is crucial for aquatic and migratory species. Protecting these areas is essential for maintaining biodiversity.

The sight of dead wildlife along the Sialkot Motorway underscores the urgent need for animal corridors. These crossings are not luxuries but necessities for preserving Pakistan’s rich biodiversity and preventing further habitat fragmentation.

The government must prioritise integrating overpasses, underpasses and culverts into all future infrastructure projects. EIAs should account for wildlife movement patterns and existing road networks should be retrofitted with these crossings to mitigate ongoing harm.

The writer, an environment and climate change specialist at the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company, has an MS in environmental conservation from the University of Trier, Germany.