Vigil along tracks will be increased to prevent elephant deaths (Coimbatore)
The New Indian Express
November 30, 2021
Chief Wildlife Warden Shekhar Kumar Niraj on Monday said Tamil Nadu forest
department, along with Ministry of Railways, would chalk out a short term
and long term plans toto prevent wild elephants’ fatality in Madukkarai
forest range. He inspected the spot where three elephants died after having
been hit by a train.
“In the short term, we would increase availability of fodder for elephant
in deep forests and discourage cultivation of food crop close to forest
areas. This would stop wild elephants from emerging out of forests and
crossing the tracks in search of fodder,” he said.
As part of long term plans, he said, watch towers with better lighting
would be installed along the track. Steps would be taken, in co-ordination
with Railways, to build enough ramps so that elephants could cross over
easily. To increase patrolling, a road would be built along the tracks, he
added. A minimum of five towers equipped with drones, night vision cameras,
sensors and powerful lights would be set up to increase the surveillance on
the track, he added.
“We will meet with Railway officials in New Delhi soon. We would recommend
use of additional lights on engines that pass through the line and maintain
speed restrictions,” he said and added that forest department would depute
teams consisting of 25 personnel for surveillance on the track.
Meanwhile, Southern Railway in a release said, it was taking preventive
measures, in coordination with forest department to prevent elephants from
getting hit by trains. Among the steps listed are regular clearing of
vegetation along the tracks to enhance visibility for loco pilots,
installing solar fences, widening of ramps, etc “In addition, Kerala and
Tamil Nadu forest department have engaged elephant trackers to patrol the
tracks,” the release said.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/nov/30/vigil-along-tracks-will-be-increased-to-prevent-elephant-deaths-2389806.html
Vigil along tracks will be increased to prevent elephant deaths (Coimbatore)
The New Indian Express
November 30, 2021
Chief Wildlife Warden Shekhar Kumar Niraj on Monday said Tamil Nadu forest
department, along with Ministry of Railways, would chalk out a short term
and long term plans toto prevent wild elephants’ fatality in Madukkarai
forest range. He inspected the spot where three elephants died after having
been hit by a train.
“In the short term, we would increase availability of fodder for elephant
in deep forests and discourage cultivation of food crop close to forest
areas. This would stop wild elephants from emerging out of forests and
crossing the tracks in search of fodder,” he said.
As part of long term plans, he said, watch towers with better lighting
would be installed along the track. Steps would be taken, in co-ordination
with Railways, to build enough ramps so that elephants could cross over
easily. To increase patrolling, a road would be built along the tracks, he
added. A minimum of five towers equipped with drones, night vision cameras,
sensors and powerful lights would be set up to increase the surveillance on
the track, he added.
“We will meet with Railway officials in New Delhi soon. We would recommend
use of additional lights on engines that pass through the line and maintain
speed restrictions,” he said and added that forest department would depute
teams consisting of 25 personnel for surveillance on the track.
Meanwhile, Southern Railway in a release said, it was taking preventive
measures, in coordination with forest department to prevent elephants from
getting hit by trains. Among the steps listed are regular clearing of
vegetation along the tracks to enhance visibility for loco pilots,
installing solar fences, widening of ramps, etc “In addition, Kerala and
Tamil Nadu forest department have engaged elephant trackers to patrol the
tracks,” the release said.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/nov/30/vigil-along-tracks-will-be-increased-to-prevent-elephant-deaths-2389806.html
