Road projects have been recognized as major threats to conservation of wildlife habitats and species. The greatest danger is habitat loss, which results from:

• Conversion of wildlife habitat for use in road rights-of-way;
   

• Fragmentation and degradation of contiguous wildlife habitat; and
   

• Interruption of wildlife movements and migration due to careless RoW placement.

 This road project was therefore closely scrutinized by the MOEF for its likely impact on the natural environment. The MOEF’s conditions (see Annexure I) included the exclusion of three roads from further consideration due to their location in highly sensitive forest areas, and inclusion of the NGT road as a replacement. Subsequent directives (see Annexure I) required the completion of a techno-economic feasibility study and environmental analysis of the NGT road, including a focus on wildlife issues.