Can a timetable reduce elephant-train collisions?

In February, seven elephants succumbed to injuries after colliding with the Meenagaya train. On March 3, another elephant succumbed to injuries as a result of a collision with a train in Manampitiya. In response to the escalating number of elephant-train collisions, the Railways Department introduced a revised timetable for the Meenagaya train. But whether a timetable could reduce elephant-train collisions mainly due to the fact that it is difficult to determine the exact timing an elephant cross through an elephant corridor remains a doubt. In February 2024, the groundbreaking ceremony was done to construct the country’s first underground pass for wild elephants in Galgamuwa. But this project hasn’t become a reality to date. The tug of war between the Departments of Railways, Wildlife Conservation and the Transport Ministry eventually led the project towards a dead-end. Galgamuwa is also the home territory of an iconic tusker named Kavantissa. There’s a huge herd of elephants that cross through Kasikote during the mornings and evenings. Villagers have taken it upon themselves to control the traffic to ensure that the elephants cross the road without harassing passersby. Some people have made it a habit to stop by at this location and take photos and videos of this large elephant gathering and crossing. But the danger of this elephant crossing is that these elephants are vulnerable to a collision if proper interventions are not being taken. Therefore it is high time that at least this government or its authorities look at protecting the rest of the elephants in the country through practical interventions. 

Manel Perera
Malabe