The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in collaboration with the Ministry of Railways, has identified 110 railway stretches across elephant habitats and 17 stretches in tiger-range states where special mitigation measures are required to reduce wildlife mortality on railway tracks.

Background

Railway tracks passing through wildlife corridors and forest landscapes have led to frequent animal deaths due to train collisions, particularly involving elephants.
To address this issue, a national workshop on “Policy Implementation for Minimising Elephant Mortalities on Railway Tracks” was organised at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.

Key Findings of the Assessment

• A total of 127 railway stretches covering about 3,452 km were assessed.
  
• Out of these, 77 stretches across 14 states covering about 1,965 km were identified as high-risk zones requiring urgent mitigation.
  
• These stretches lie mainly across elephant movement corridors and forest landscapes.
  

Proposed Mitigation Measures

A total of 705 mitigation structures have been recommended to ensure safe wildlife movement across railway lines.

Major measures include:

• 503 ramps and level crossings to allow animals to cross tracks safely.
  
• 72 bridge modifications or extensions to improve passage under railway lines.
  
• 65 wildlife underpasses for safe movement across railways.
  
• 22 wildlife overpasses to allow animals to cross above railway tracks.
  
• 39 fencing or trenching structures to guide animals toward safe crossings.
  
• 4 exit ramps for animals trapped on tracks.
  

Causes of Wildlife Collisions

Experts identified several major factors behind wildlife deaths on railway tracks:

• Habitat fragmentation due to infrastructure development
  
• Changes in land use patterns near forest areas
  
• High train speeds in forest sections
  
• Night-time train operations
  
• Seasonal migration routes of elephants
  

Technological and Community Solutions

To reduce wildlife mortality, experts suggested adopting modern technologies and community participation:

• Early warning systems and sensor-based detection technologies
  
• Artificial Intelligence based wildlife monitoring
  
• Geographic Information System monitoring of wildlife corridors
  
• Community-based patrolling and alert systems
  

Significance

These mitigation measures aim to:

• Protect endangered wildlife species such as elephants and tigers.
  
• Maintain ecological connectivity between fragmented forest habitats.
  
• Promote environmentally responsible infrastructure development.
  
• Strengthen coordination between forest departments, railways and conservation institutions.
  

Exam Hook

Statement Based Question

Consider the following statements regarding wildlife protection along railway tracks:

1. Wildlife underpasses and overpasses are used to facilitate safe animal movement across infrastructure barriers.
   
2. Habitat fragmentation is a major cause of wildlife-train collisions.
   
3. Project Elephant is an initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
   

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

One-Line Wrap

India is adopting infrastructure mitigation measures and technology-driven solutions to reduce wildlife deaths on railway tracks and ensure safer movement of animals across forest landscapes.

SOURCE