Jumbo deaths figure in Rajya Sabha

Replying to a question raised by DMK MP Kanimozhi, the Minister said causes of death of six elephants in Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts between June 20 to July 6 this year include train accidents, road accidents and bodily injuries. 

While elaborationg the initiative taken by the government to prevent death of wild elephants, Dave said that an advisory has been issued to all railway zones to prevent collision of trains with wild elephants.

The suggested measures to prevent collision of elephants with trains include clearance of vegetation on the sides of railway tracks, under passes/overpasses across the vulnerable stretches of railway tracks to ensure safe passage for elephants, signage boards for alerting train drivers, engagement of elephant trackers and communication with station masters.

In order to keep the railway tracks clear of food wastes, a permanent coordination committee has been constituted jointly by Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Environment and Forests to share information and monitor the implementation of the advisory besides improvement of elephant habitats including Elephant Reserves and Corridors.

The Minister said that regular patrolling of forest areas has been intensified against poachers and awareness camps were being organised regularly for local people for conservation of wildlife. 

He added that the local committees were organised into Joint Forest Management Committees/Ecology development committees for protection of elephant habitat including elephant corridors in Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts.