Wildlife Dept. plans action to prevent train-elephant collisions

1 April 2025 05:56 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 11 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, April 1 (Daily Mirror) - The Wildlife Conservation Department has taken steps to develop an action plan to minimize the damage caused to wild elephants due to collisions with trains.

The plan will be jointly implemented by the Environment Ministry, the Railways Department, the Forest Conservation Department, and the Central Environmental Authority.

Planned measures are as follows:

Identifying seven hilly areas from Galoya Railway Station to Hingurakgoda Railway Station where elephants frequently collide with trains and removing debris from these areas.
Conducting awareness programmes for railway drivers, station masters, engineers, and assistant drivers.
Updating and improving name boards at elephant corridor points.
Clearing undergrowth up to 10-20 metres on both sides of the railway line to improve visibility for train drivers.
Filling gaps between railway sleepers with concrete stones along the 20 km stretch from Galoya Junction to Kantale to facilitate elephant crossings.
Installing solar-powered LED lights along railway tracks to enhance visibility for train drivers.
Introducing advanced train sets with better speed control and improved visibility, along with LED panels to assist drivers in speed management.
Closing tube wells on the left side of the railway track between Habarana and Kantale, redirecting water through a pipeline under the railway, and constructing water holes at appropriate locations.
Constructing two water tanks off the railway track in the forest reserve near Kantale.
Providing welfare facilities for train drivers on the Eastern Railway to support their well-being and focus.
On April 1, the General Manager of Railways, the Additional General Manager of Railways, the Assistant Director of the Polonnaruwa Wildlife Zone, and other officials conducted an observation tour from Palugas Wewa Railway Station to Punani on the Eastern Line using a railway trolley.
During the field visit, it was observed that forest clearing on both sides of the railway has begun, speed limit signs have been updated, and the initial work required to implement the action plan is underway, the General Manager of Railways stated.

Comments - 11

RanjithT Tuesday, 01 April 2025 06:09 PM

Today is all fools day.

1 7

Wagner Tuesday, 01 April 2025 06:15 PM

This shows wold life dept has been sleeping all these years and enjoying the tax payers money and a cosy life and now woken up and planning how to avoid elephant train accident

0 10

james Tuesday, 01 April 2025 06:18 PM

Send that trolley 10-20 before the train departs to clear the tracks of elephants. problem solved.

1 6

D P P Prasad Tuesday, 01 April 2025 06:57 PM

This collective effort should have been implemented some years ago. Even the environmentalists and the animal lovers reiterated to implement any feasible mechanism to prevent the elephants from running over by trains since last few years. But neither railway nor any other authorities concerned pay their stern attention to mitigate this burning issue thus far. The damage being caused to the jumbos already has befallen. We have constantly noticed that the engine drivers are often intoxicated or tipsy. Therefore In order to prevent them from consuming spirits. if any other guide line is included in your planned measures to refrain the engine drivers from consuming liquor when they are on duty it will also be more helpful to minimise the train- elephant collision

0 8

R. K. D. C. Bernard Saturday, 05 April 2025 07:34 AM

Your comment rocked me sir about liquors taken by engine drivers and it's a modern experience on me actually. If so, passengers of railway are in danger compulsively.

0 0

Rip Winkle Tuesday, 01 April 2025 07:22 PM

What about installation of the device that warns engine drivers of large objects within 500 metres of the train, created by one university specially for this purpose?

0 12

martin Wednesday, 02 April 2025 09:41 AM

You really thought that would be used? Railway is living in stone age and they prefer to stay that way

1 2

Inshi Wednesday, 02 April 2025 09:05 AM

All these measures will not be effective under the influence of liquor. Check for drunk driving randomly to ensure safety for all.

0 1

Vijay Wednesday, 02 April 2025 09:32 AM

Deploy camera-equipped drones from train with thermal/night vision capabilities to proactively monitor areas ahead of trains only where elephant activity is likely. Have drones on high-risk routes. It's affordable instead of spending more money on this project.

1 2

Felix Wednesday, 02 April 2025 11:03 AM

Finally something is happening. What is sad about this is (Typically Sri Lankan) we always wait till a disaster happens to take remedial steps. We don't seem to understand what PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE means. I took 7 elephants to die for us to come to this. Despite so much have been said and have fallen on deaf ears.

0 3

R. K. D. C. Bernard Thursday, 03 April 2025 08:13 PM

This is a real threat to human being which raising of wild elephants tragedy especially rural people. Their cultivation are in danger apart from that their houses and life. Most of them are farmers and majority of their crops eat and destroy by wild animals especially wild elephants and monkeys. There aren't enough solutions from whole governments but this issue comes to the doorstep of people. All threats in mentioned above are normally can be seen and immediate actions against them to be implemented. There are some urgent solutions are mentioned In this document by some government departments but they should be considered with rural society who are felt the difficulties from the wild animals specially elephants practically. Otherwise any other solutions are unsuccessful and useless according to my knowledge as a retired forest ranger. Rural people should be presented at the discussions of wild elephants and others as well as all that committees to be created.

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