Forest dept files case against Railways for elephant’s death

BENGALURU: The Hosapete-Tinnaighat Rail Line has become a veritable death trap for wildlife in the dense forests of Dharwad, Belagavi and Uttar Kannada districts. The recent death was that of a female elephant on October 9 when it was hit by a speeding train in Khanapur taluk in Belagavi.

This has once again raised serious concerns on the rising number of wildlife deaths in this section. In the last six years, 12 gaurs, two elephants, a sloth bear and many reptiles and small mammals have been mowed down by speeding trains on this line, which connects Dharwad to Goa and Belagavi via Londa.

Despite the state Forest Department sending many letters and holding discussions with South Western Railway authorities to implement mitigation measures, no action has been taken till date. So this time, the state forest department booked a case against Railway Department in the October 9 elephant killing incident to speed up matters.

An FIR was filed on the same day under the Wildlife Protection Act. A notice was also issued to executive engineer, South Western Railways, Hubballi, who was to respond to it within 15 days. However, there has been no response yet. After a response is received, an inquiry will be done by ACF Khanapur, which will be completed in a month’s time. Only after this, a chargesheet will be filed and the officials concerned will be held responsible.

Giving this information, Belagavi Chief Conservator of Forests Krishna Udapudi told Express, “This is the first time that a case has been booked against the railway department for the October 9 elephant kill. All these years, they have not taken any action either in reducing the speed of the trains when passing through dense forests or setting up ramps, barricades, hiring track watchers and sending warning to the next stations about the movement of animals. So we felt only legal action will produce results.”
On their part, the railway authorities said they are looking into the matter.

Presently, the Hospet-Tinnaighat rail line, which passes through thick jungles, elephant corridors and protected areas of the three districts, is undergoing doubling work. This has raised more concerns, say wildlife activists. They have lodged complaints with both MoEF and Railway authorities and appealed to them to reduce the speed of the trains as the death toll of wildlife has risen.

Wildlife activist Giridhar Kulkarni adds, “With doubling work going on, this section will soon become a death trap for elephants in the coming days. Instead of doubling this line which passes through a crucial wildlife habitat, they can go in for an alternative route and protect wildlife besides providing connectivity to many villages.”

SC directions

The Supreme Court order dated December 10, 2013 directed the Railway Ministry to regulate the speed of trains when passing through dense forests. In case the speed limit is not followed, appropriate action should be taken against erring drivers and officials concerned.

Railway advisory

The advisory issued to zonal railways directs the following mitigation measures
Reduction of speed of trains while passing through dense forests
Vegetation clearance on both sides of tracks
Installation of signage boards to warn loco pilots
Usage of elephant trackers
Communication with station masters
Keeping track free from food waste which attracts animals  
Build underpasses or ramps across tracks for free movement