(IN):Elephants killed by train (pics included)

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Link: http://www.freewebs.com/azamsiddiqui/picturegallery.htm

 

Please find pictures from Mr. Anupam Nath of the elephants killed in

Guwahati by train.

The pictures are for private circulation only. Any commercial use request

can be directed to the Photographer at: anupamnathap

 

Azam

 

Guwahati: Friday, 10th August` 2007

 

Two elephants, one adult female and a young calf was mowed down by a

speeding train adjacent to the Deepor Beel (Ramsar Site Wetland) in

Guwahati, Assam around 12am at night.

The adult female was dragged by the train more than 100 meters with its body

parts strewn all over the track.

The young calf was also dragged to about the same length.

 

Mr. Surajit Dutta, DFO Wildlife, Guwahati, has already said that the driver

of the train has been detained for over speeding.

It may be noted that speeding trains have in the past killed dozens of

elephants in the area.

Last year three elephants were run over by a train on the same track in that

area while in another incident some months back a young elephant was knocked

by a train which then disappeared into the forest after injuries.

The accident site lies adjacent to unique bio diversity hot spots on both

the sides of the railway track which has been of late been turned into a

killing field of elephants.

The forest department is yet to grant the status of a sanctuary to the

Deepor Beel wetland and therefore there is no forest check post in that area

despite being an elephant corridor.

The Railways on the other hand claim that the accident took place a little

ahead of the speed restriction zone.

 

Perhaps the elephants instead should now be taught the rule of crossing the

railway tracks now that the blame game is on between the authorities.

 

Elephant herds come down from the adjoining Rani-Garbhanga reserve forests

to the wetland and stay there for days and even months bathing and feeding

on the aquatic plants which is a favorite of the elephants.

The railway line cuts the wetland on many places and therefore speeding

trains have been responsible for the repeated tragedies which can be easily

averted due to good coordination between the two main authorities: The

Forest and the Railways.

 

The trains however have been seen over speeding at even the restricted zones

most of the times say eyewitnesses and locals.

 

Azam Siddiqui

 

 

 

---------- Forwarded message ----------

anupam nath <anupamnathap

Aug 10, 2007 12:35 PM

pix from Anupam

AZAM SIDDIQUI <azam24x7

 

 

 

 

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