News

An elephant calf injured after being hit by an express train in Assam’s Hojai district, near Kaziranga National Park, succumbed to injuries despite rescue efforts. The Union Government has sought a detailed report and directed States to strengthen elephant-movement monitoring along railway tracks.

Key Points

1. Incident Details

• A less-than-one-week-old elephant calf was hit by an express train.
• An accident occurred on a railway stretch cutting through elephant corridors.
• The calf suffered fractured legs and internal injuries.

2. Rescue and Response

• The calf was rescued and taken to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC).
• Despite veterinary intervention, the calf was unable to survive.

3. Location significance

• The incident occurred close to Kaziranga National Park, a critical habitat for elephants.
• The rail track lies along a known elephant movement corridor.

4. Centre’s directions

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) sought a report from Assam.
• States are instructed to monitor elephant movement near railway lines.
• Railway authorities are directed to coordinate with the Forest Departments.

5. Speed regulation focus

• Conservationists reiterated the need for strict speed limits in high-risk stretches.
• Surveillance, signage, and patrolling are to be strengthened.

6. Recurring issue

• Train–elephant collisions are a persistent cause of elephant mortality in Assam and other forested States.
• Highlights infrastructure–wildlife conflict in biodiversity-rich regions.

• Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus)

1. • IUCN Status: Endangered
   • Schedule I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

• Elephant corridors

1. • Narrow forest stretches enable elephant movement between habitats.
   • India has ~150 identified elephant corridors.

• Kaziranga National Park

1. • UNESCO World Heritage Site
   • Located in Assam, famous for its one-horned rhinoceros and elephant population.

• Major causes of elephant deaths

1. • Train collisions
   • Electrocution
   • Poaching
   • Habitat fragmentation

• Mitigation measures
  
  • Speed restrictions
  • Underpasses/overpasses
  • Early warning systems
  • Coordination between Railways & Forest Departments

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Q1. With reference to elephant conservation in India, consider the following statements:

1. Asian elephants are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

2. Elephant corridors are legally recognised under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 as protected areas.

3. Train–wildlife collisions are a significant cause of elephant mortality in parts of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 2 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: A) 1 and 3 only