(a) the total number of wild animals died in rail, road and train accidents and also
electrocution in the country during the last three years and the current year. State-wise;
(b) whether the Government has taken any steps to check such incidents;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) As per then available information with the Ministry, the total number of major wild
animals died in rail, road and train accident and electrocution in the country during the last
three years and the current year is given in the Annexure.
(b),(c)&(d) The Government has taken following measures to prevent accidental deaths of wild
animals, especially elephants:
(i) Ministry of Railways in consultation with the Ministry of Environment and Forests had
issued a general advisory to all the railway zones suggesting measures to prevent collision of
trains with wild elephants. A permanent coordination team has been constituted jointly by the
Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Environment and Forests to share information and monitor
the implementation of the advisory on quarterly basis.
(ii) Ministry of Railways has also been requested to regulate the speed of trains in vulnerable
sections.
(iii) Nodal officers have been designated in the vulnerable sections to facilitate quick
sharing of information.
(iv) The Ministry of Environment and Forests has been releasing financial assistance to the
State Government of West Bengal under Centrally Sponsored Scheme-‘Project Elephant’ for
construction of RCC watch towers, provision of heavy duty solar lights, high beam search lights,
engagement of personnel to man watch towers, and clearing of bushes on the sides of railway
tracks for improving visibility to monitor the movement of elephants near the railway tracks
with the objective of preventing collision of elephants with trains.
(v) The State Forest Departments have been directed to be more vigilant and proactive in
ensuring general well-being of the wildlife and compliance of the conditions laid down in
various clearances related to the forest areas for safeguarding the wildlife habitats.