Orientation on mitigation of elephant mortality on railway track
Maligaon, Nov. 16 (EMN): An orientation workshop on generating awareness for mitigating elephant casualty in railway track was organised by Lumding Division on Nov. 14. This was stated in a press release issued by Chief Public Relations Officer N.F. Railway, Maligaon.
With the approaching of foggy season where elephant dashing are more common, its an initiative of Lumding Division along with the Forest Department of government of Assam towards spreading awareness among stakeholders to minimize elephant casualty due to dashing, stated the release.
The workshop is said to have been attended by Loco Pilots, Assistant Loco Pilots, Patrolmen of Lumding Division of N.F. Railway.
The DRM of Lumding division P.K. Jain headed the railway delegation while the Forest department is said to have been led by P. Shivkumar, Conservator of Forest, Northern Circle, Assam (Tezpur).
Experts of W.W.F of India led by Dr. Anil Singh and Dr. P.J. Borah along with Kaushik Baruah of Assam Elephant Foundation gave presentations on elephant behaviour and the need for proactive initiative from both the forest department and railways for the conservation of elephant.
Loco pilot and railway staff shared their experiences and meaningful interaction took place among the participants, the release mentioned.
The release further mentions that there were consensus among the participants on a number of issues which included incorporation of a module on elephant sensitivity in the training programme of Loco Pilot and provision of better visibility equipments during the foggy season.
Because of the proactive initiative taken up jointly by the railway and forest department, there has been substantial reduction in elephant mortality on railway tracks, stated the release. Such measures include formation of joint control patrolling groups in vulnerable areas who are authorized to speak directly to station masters of nearby stations upon the sighting of elephant in the vicinity of railway track.
The station master in turn is said to have been empowered to stop the movement of train or issue advisory to the drivers of the train to drive at reduced speed till the time that the elephant herds move away from the railway track.
Forest and railway officials is said to be connected round the clock through whatsapp groups for sharing of information and prompt action in the case of any eventuality.
During the discussion it was suggested that spreading of awareness would be the key short term measure which could be effective in reducing elephant mortality, stated the release.
