(IN): Talks shield for Assam jumbos

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Link: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070819/asp/northeast/story_8188444.asp

 

Talks shield for Assam jumbos

A STAFF REPORTER

 

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*Guwahati, Aug. 18:* The Assam forest department is keen on holding talks

with the Northeast Frontier Railway to prevent deaths of elephants on

tracks.

 

A goods train recently ran over an elephant and her calf near Deepor Beel.

Two wheels of the engine derailed under the impact. The driver is yet to be

arrested.

 

A senior forest official said a meeting with the railways was being planned

to discuss safety of elephants across the state and find ways to prevent

such tragedies. " We will discuss threadbare the prevailing situation and

identify possible danger zones. "

 

The spot is not far from the site where three elephants met a similar fate

in 2004 and a young elephant was injured last year. In 2001, six elephants

were mowed down by a passenger train near Digboi.

 

The Guwahati wildlife division has sought permission from the railways to

arrest the train driver. " But there has been no reply from the railway

authorities, " the official said.

 

Sources said the accident site is three km from the speed-restriction zone.

The department wants the zone to be extended.

 

In a letter to chief wildlife warden and the railway, the ministry of

environment and forests has urged them to ensure safety of pachyderms in the

elephant corridor. It has also called for " caution boards " . " Normally the

boar-ds are set up for a 100-metre stretch and the speed of a train is

restricted to 25 kmph. This means the engine and the last bogey will not

exceed the speed limit while passing the stretch, " the letter states.

 

The ministry pointed out that such an exercise had prevented death of

elephants in Palamau tiger reserve in Jharkhand.

 

One of the " action points " contained in the National Wildlife Action Plan

2002-2016 states: " The ministry of surface transport and the ministry of

railways will plan roads in such a manner that all national parks and

sanctuaries are bypassed and integrity of the protected area is maintained.

Wildlife corridors also need to be avoided, or mitigative measures (such as

restricting night traffic) need to be employed. "

 

 

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