elephant mortality to the extent possible. Below are a number of recommendations
that need to be considered in the Siliguri–Alipurduar line, and that may also be
useful in similar areas elsewhere:
1. Reduce the speed of trains in the most vulnerable stretches of the track This
suggestion has been repeated by several committees that have addressed train–
elephant collisions in this region, but there have been genuine technical difficulties faced by the railway companies in implementing it due to operational
constraints. With the current train operations along the Siliguri–Alipurduar line,
it seems that reduced speed can only be implemented along a few stretches.
2. Limit the operation of trains during the night-time Since the frequency of
accidents is much higher during the night than during the day, the curtailment of
train movement along this track at night might be a possible way to reduce
accidents. The acceptance of this suggestion would again depend on the operational needs of the railways.
3. Provision of overpasses and underpasses at vulnerable crossing points This
would require an engineering survey along the entire stretch in order to determine the need, feasibility, and costs of any structure at locations where elephants
are expected to cross more frequently. Considerable expenses would be incurred
in undertaking such constructions. A pilot project on landscaping at some
critical places such as Chalsa-Nagrakata, where the track is laid through a
narrow passage in a hillock with steep excavation on either side, can be
undertaken to assess its success or otherwise in reducing train elephant accidents. It is also important to consider whether elephants would use such engineered passages for crossing the railway track or would be suspicious of them
and avoid them.
4. Patrolling along the track by forest/wildlife/railway staff This is already
being practiced in northern West Bengal but can perhaps be strengthened during
crop–raiding seasons, when the frequency of elephants crossing the tracks
increases. The patrolling staff can then pass on the information to the railway
signalmen on the presence of elephants. These measures are not without their
problems, as patrolling at night inside dense forest is hazardous. The provision
of more watch towers along the track in forest areas may be useful.
5. Implement garbage clearance and ensure better visibility along the track
Elephants are attracted by food items, including packaged ones that passengers
may throw out of trains. Creating awareness among passengers and employing
staff to remove such garbage along the track would help reduce the possibility of
elephants lingering along the railway track in search of food. Vegetation along
the track has to be cleared on a regular basis to ensure the best possible visibility
to train drivers who have to be sensitized to the risks of elephants crossing the
tracks (such awareness is already being instituted among the drivers). There
have been instances of elephants, usually solitary bulls, feeding on an attractive
plant (such as banana) that grows close to a railway track, and being hit by a
train. It is important to remove such elephant forage plants along the railway
tracks.
10 Railways and Wildlife: A Case Study …
171
that need to be considered in the Siliguri–Alipurduar line, and that may also be
useful in similar areas elsewhere:
1. Reduce the speed of trains in the most vulnerable stretches of the track This
suggestion has been repeated by several committees that have addressed train–
elephant collisions in this region, but there have been genuine technical difficulties faced by the railway companies in implementing it due to operational
constraints. With the current train operations along the Siliguri–Alipurduar line,
it seems that reduced speed can only be implemented along a few stretches.
2. Limit the operation of trains during the night-time Since the frequency of
accidents is much higher during the night than during the day, the curtailment of
train movement along this track at night might be a possible way to reduce
accidents. The acceptance of this suggestion would again depend on the operational needs of the railways.
3. Provision of overpasses and underpasses at vulnerable crossing points This
would require an engineering survey along the entire stretch in order to determine the need, feasibility, and costs of any structure at locations where elephants
are expected to cross more frequently. Considerable expenses would be incurred
in undertaking such constructions. A pilot project on landscaping at some
critical places such as Chalsa-Nagrakata, where the track is laid through a
narrow passage in a hillock with steep excavation on either side, can be
undertaken to assess its success or otherwise in reducing train elephant accidents. It is also important to consider whether elephants would use such engineered passages for crossing the railway track or would be suspicious of them
and avoid them.
4. Patrolling along the track by forest/wildlife/railway staff This is already
being practiced in northern West Bengal but can perhaps be strengthened during
crop–raiding seasons, when the frequency of elephants crossing the tracks
increases. The patrolling staff can then pass on the information to the railway
signalmen on the presence of elephants. These measures are not without their
problems, as patrolling at night inside dense forest is hazardous. The provision
of more watch towers along the track in forest areas may be useful.
5. Implement garbage clearance and ensure better visibility along the track
Elephants are attracted by food items, including packaged ones that passengers
may throw out of trains. Creating awareness among passengers and employing
staff to remove such garbage along the track would help reduce the possibility of
elephants lingering along the railway track in search of food. Vegetation along
the track has to be cleared on a regular basis to ensure the best possible visibility
to train drivers who have to be sensitized to the risks of elephants crossing the
tracks (such awareness is already being instituted among the drivers). There
have been instances of elephants, usually solitary bulls, feeding on an attractive
plant (such as banana) that grows close to a railway track, and being hit by a
train. It is important to remove such elephant forage plants along the railway
tracks.
10 Railways and Wildlife: A Case Study …
171