MINISTER OF STATE ( INDEPENDENT CHARGE ) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) As reported by the State Governments , details of state-wise deaths of elephants in
train accidents are as follows:
State Year-wise number of elephant deaths 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11
Assam 2 2 8 2
West Bengal 5 3 1 9
Tamil Nadu 1 3 1 0
Jharkhand 1 0 0 0
Kerala 1 0 3 0
Orissa 2 0 0 0
(b)& (c) Yes sir. Several actions have been planned and initiated jointly by the Railways and
the State Forest Departments to prevent such accidental deaths which includes imposition of
speed limit, clearing of vegetation on both sides of the track, construction of ramps / fences
etc .
(d), (e) , (f) & (g) The Ministry had constituted a Task Force on Project Elephant to suggest
measures for more effective conservation and management regime for the species, including the
corridors, in the country. The Task Force has submitted its Report. The main recommendations
of the Task Force are :
(1) To form National Elephant Conservation Authority (NECA)
(2) To increase the financial outlay of the project to Rs. 600 crore in the 12th Plan
against Rs. 81.99 crore in the 11th Plan.
(3) To constitute a Consortium of Elephant Research and Estimation (CERE) for designing
a robust and scientific elephant monitoring programme
(4) To declare Elephant as National Heritage Animal
(5) To constitute Conflict Management Task Force in identified areas
(6) Enhancement of ex-gratia payment to at least Rs 3 lakh in case death of human life
by elephants against current minimum rate of Rs one lakh.
(7) Notification of the identified corridors by respective State Governments.
(8) Immediate filling of vacancies of the frontline staff with local youths.
(9) Free ration /food allowance for frontline staff including daily watchers
(10) Insurance cover to the front line staff involved in protection duties.
(11) Setting up of Fast Track special courts to deal with wildlife crime.
(12) Hosting of International Elephant Congress by India.
(13) Establishing Asian Elephant Forum on the lines of the Global Tiger Forum.
