Question : Green Corridors

(a) whether the scheme for introducing green corridors has been formulated for ensuring safety of wild animals, particularly elephants while crossing the rail tracks;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) if not, reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1249 BY SHRIMATI SHARDABEN ANILBHAI PATEL AND SHRI MITESH RAMESHBHAI PATEL (BAKABHAI) TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 09.02.2022 REGARDING GREEN CORRIDORS

(a) to (c) Railways have already taken steps for ensuring safety of wild animals, particularly elephants while crossing railway track, in co-ordination with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
A Permanent Co-ordination Committee has been constituted between Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for preventing elephant death in train accidents. Steps taken by Railways in coordination with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to prevent death of wild life including elephants due to train hits are as follows:
(i) Imposition of speed restrictions in identified vulnerable locations.
(ii) Providing signage boards at suitable points to alert train drivers about elephant presence.
(iii) Sensitization of Train Crew and Station Masters on a regular basis.
(iv) Clearing of vegetation along railway tracks to allow unhindered and clear view for train drivers.
(v) Construction of underpasses and ramps for the movement of elephants at identified locations.
(vi) Provision of fencing at selected locations.
(vii) Avoid dumping of food waste along railway track to avoid unnecessary congregation of elephants and other wild animals near railway track.
(viii) Installation of innovative Honey bee sound systems at locations, which are prone to crossing of elephants.
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