Nawalparasi. An overhead canopy bridge has been constructed in the eastern section of the Narayanghat-Butwal Road Expansion Project for the first time in Nepal to allow wild animals including monkeys to cross the road safely.

The infrastructure has been constructed at Pitauji of Gaindakot jungle in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) under the Narayanghat-Butwal Road Project (eastern section). According to the project’s information officer and engineer Shiva Khanal, the canopy bridge has been constructed under the Biodiversity Conservation and Promotion Programme so as to prevent the natural movement of wildlife with the expansion of the road through the forest area.

“This is the first canopy bridge constructed in Nepal under a road project targeting monkeys”, he said, adding, “We have constructed this structure to minimize the impact on the habitat and mobility of wildlife along with the road expansion”. After studying its use and effectiveness, there is a plan to construct such canopy bridges in other appropriate places as well. ”

Information Officer Khanal said the infrastructure was developed to reduce the compulsion for wild animals like monkeys and langurs to cross the road and reduce the risk of road accidents involving vehicles. It is expected to contribute positively to the safety of drivers and passengers along with preserving the natural behavior of wildlife.

The 113-km long Narayanghat-Butwal Road Expansion Project is one of the major infrastructure projects of Nepal. The project is being constructed by dividing it into two sections, east and west. According to the project office, the work of blacktopping the main road and concrete grading of the main road has been completed in the eastern section of the project and the overall physical progress has been made by June 2026.

Along with the road construction, wildlife-friendly structures, streams, greenery, road safety infrastructure and other conservation measures are also being implemented to reduce the environmental impact. Engineer Khanal said that the Canopy Bridge, which has been constructed with emphasis on biodiversity conservation along with road infrastructure development, is expected to establish a new practice of environment-friendly infrastructure construction in the upcoming road projects of Nepal.