Jumbo deaths: NGT seeks affidavits in four weeks (Jalpaiguri) Pinak Priya Bhattacharya, Times of India December 2, 2023 Taking a suo motu cognisance of a TOI report on the mowing down of three elephants by a goods train at Buxa Tiger Reserve in Alipurduar on November 27, the eastern zone bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) added the North West Frontier Railways GM, the Buxa Tiger Reserve field director, Bengal’s chief wildlife warden and the state environment department as well as the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change as respondents in the case. All the respondents have been asked to file affidavits within four weeks. “This Original Application is being taken up in view of the newspaper report published in the national daily, The Times of India, dated 28.11.2023. The article mentions that 3 elephants were mowed down by the goods train in Buxa Tiger Reserve near Rajabhatkhawa Shikari Gate in Alipurduar,” the bench of judicial member B Amit Sthalekar and expert member Arun Kumar Verma observed. The incident took place when a herd was crossing the track between Rajabhatkhawa and Kalchini. “The article mentions that female elephants were flung about 20 feet west of the track. While one calf fell 15 feet to the eastern side, the other calf was torn apart by the train,” the bench stated. The TOI report had further quoted BTR field director Apurba Sen as stating that “there was no doubt that the speed of the train was too high”. NF Railway CPRO Sabyasachi De had also expressed surprise that the driver overlooked the herd despite “perfect visibility” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/jumbo-deaths-ngt-seeks-affidavits-in-four-weeks/articleshow/105669401.cms