Expressing concern at the repeated deaths of elephants hit by trains on the Haridwar-Motichur-Kansro railway track, the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) Jai Raj has written to the PCCF (Wildlife)/chief wildlife warden and the director of Rajaji tiger reserve. Stating that the forest department could also be at fault in such incidents, he has called a meeting of departmental officials to discuss the issue on Wednesday.
In the letter written on Tuesday, the PCCF cites the latest death of an elephant hit by a train on this track. He states, “It is a matter of serious concern that elephants are dying repeatedly in accidents with trains on this railway track.
It is clear that somewhere, there is negligence also on the part of the forest department. Strict measures need to be undertaken in order to stop such deaths of elephants in accidents involving trains.” Considering this, Jai Raj has called a meeting in his office on Wednesday.
He has asked the officials concerned to attend the meeting with details of elephant deaths in train accidents since 2012 and other relevant information.
It should be mentioned here that apart from this particular track, elephant deaths in train accidents have also taken place in the Kumaon region. Earlier while inspecting the region during May, the PCCF had also noted that factors like dumping of trash by railway staff on the tracks passing through forests was one of the factors attracting elephants to the tracks in search of salt and food items which increased the risk of accidents.