FREQUENT ELEPHANT DEATHS ON THE TRACK IN FOREST AREAS

            The rail track passing through forest areas in different parts of the country, including Walayar on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, have become a death trap for the wildlife, particularly elephants. The deaths of a large number of Wild elephants in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Assam and West Bengal remain a burning issue.

       The estimated elepjant population in the Walayar forest is around 400. The Kerala and Tamil Nadu Railways decided to dig trenches and erect electric fencing on either side of the track. This move came after the death of a pregnant elephant, along with two other elephants, hit bya train running between  Pothnur and Madhukari in the Walayar- Coimbatore section on Friday 4,2008. The pregnant elephant was delivered of a calf, which also died  on the spot.

         Though the Railways have reduced the speed of trains from 100 to 65 km per hour during day time and 45 km during nioght, this cannot save the animals once thery are hit. The Best way would be to construct trenches in various dimensions.There are also illegal encroachment on forest land

Prof. John Kurakar