PRACHIN BURI, THAILAND – A wildlife corridor with tunnel and overpass on Highway 304 showed measurable ecological gains and improved road safety after several years in operation, according to transport and conservation agencies.
Officials hail inspection findings
Specialists inspected the effects of the wildlife corridor along the busy Highway 304 between Kabin Buri and Pak Thong Chai the previous day. The visit was led by Pakorn Sripanwong, director of Highway District 10, who received senior figures from the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, members of the EIA expert panel for land and air transport infrastructure, and representatives of other agencies.
Linking two strictly protected national parks
Highway 304 cut through Khao Yai National Park and Thap Lan National Park, two core protected areas in the Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex. The forest complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, meaning any infrastructure project there was subject to particularly strict environmental requirements.
Tunnel below, wildlife bridge above
The corridor consisted of a tunnel close to the road, above which a specially designed wildlife overpass allowed animals to cross the carriageway safely. The structure was developed on the basis of extensive ecological studies on wildlife behaviour in the surrounding forests, aiming to disturb their natural migration routes as little as possible.
Biodiversity exceeds initial assessment
According to Pakorn Sripanwong, observations over seven years showed that a wide range of animal species used the structure regularly. The diversity of species in the corridor area increased from the 156 species originally recorded in the EIA report to 172 species, indicating improved habitat connectivity and reduced fragmentation.
Fewer wildlife collisions on Highway 304
Beyond conservation benefits, the facility helped lower the risk of collisions between wildlife and vehicles on the Kabin Buri–Pak Thong Chai section. Agency representatives stressed that the project enhanced traffic safety for motorists while at the same time reducing pressure on sensitive ecosystems.
Model of inter-agency cooperation
Officials stated that the wildlife corridor was an example of close cooperation between the Department of Highways, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and specialised conservation organisations. The participating bodies viewed the results so far as confirmation that major transport routes and strict environmental protection could be combined under appropriate conditions.