Announcing this to reporters, Forest Minister C P Yogeeshwara said the government will shortly notify its decision to extend the duration of traffic ban on Gundlupet-Ooty (NH-67) and Gundlupet-Wayanad (NH-212) routes by three hours, making it a 12-hour ban between 6 pm and 6 am. Presently, the ban is for nine hours, between 9 pm and 6 am. Adequate time will be given to file objections and suggestions, if any, he added.

The government first imposed night traffic ban (9 am to 6 pm) on these routes in 2009, following a hue and cry raised by animal rights activists over the killing of wild animals in the National Park by speeding vehicles during night hours.

But the animal rights activists demanded that the ban should be for 12 hours (between 6 pm and 6 am).

Goods transporters of all three States - Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala - had, however, opposed the decision.

"We cannot expect animals in the wild to follow traffic rules. We being civilised beings should understand it and take appropriate steps to protect them. Hence, the government has decided to extend the duration of the ban,” Yogeeshwara explained.