According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), data compiled from 2009-10 to 2020-21 reveals a significant mortality rate amongst elephants due to train collisions in India. The alarming number stands at a total of 186 elephant deaths.
Regional Breakdown of Elephant Deaths
The data analysis shows that Assam reported the highest number of casualties with 62 elephant deaths, followed closely by West Bengal with 57 fatalities, and Odisha marking 27 deaths. Uttar Pradesh recorded only one elephant death due to a train accident during this period.
The Underlying Measures to Prevent Further Elephant Deaths
In response to the increasing numbers, a Permanent Coordination Committee has been established between the Ministry of Railways and the MoEFCC. The committee is tasked with implementing various preventive measures including clearing vegetation along railway tracks to provide a clear view for train drivers, constructing underpass and overpass for safe passage of elephants, regular patrolling of vulnerable stretches of railway tracks, as well as providing warning sign boards to ensure safety.
Funds Allocated for Project Elephant
From 2011-12 and 2020-21, the MoEFCC has allocated Rs. 212.49 crore to the States within the elephant’s range as part of the Project Elephant initiative.
National Heritage Animal Status of Elephant
Acknowledging the vital ecological role of the species, elephants were declared a ‘national heritage animal’ in India in 2010. Known as the gardeners and architects of the forest and woodland ecosystem, these keystone species play an instrumental role in shaping the landscape, pollinating, and germinating seeds, and enhancing the fertility of the forest soil.
About Project Elephant
Launched in 1992, Project Elephant is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) that aims to provide financial and technical support for wildlife management efforts by the states for their free ranging populations of wild Asian Elephants. The key objectives of this project are to protect elephants and their habitats and corridors, address issues of man-animal conflict, and ensure the welfare of captive elephants. Currently, it is being implemented in 16 States and UTs across India.
Statistical Overview: Elephant Census
Every five years, under the aegis of Project Elephant, an elephant census is conducted. According to the latest census in 2017, India’s population of Asian elephants was estimated at 27,312, a decline from the previous census in 2012 which estimated between 29,391 and 30,711 elephants. Karnataka tops the list with the highest number of elephants, followed by Assam and Kerala.
National Elephant Reserves Situation
India currently has about 32 Elephant Reserves, the very first of which was the Singhbhum Elephant Reserve of Jharkhand.
Protection Status of Asian Elephants
Asian elephants are listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List, featured in Appendix I of CITES, and are covered under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
A Global Initiative: Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE)
Initiated in 2003, the MIKE programme is an international collaboration that closely monitors trends related to the illegal killing of elephants across Africa and Asia as a measure to assess the effectiveness of field conservation efforts.
Recent Developments
Lately, in Odisha’s Athagarh Forest Division, a new method of dropping seed bombs in different reserve forest areas was initiated to enrich the food stock for wild elephants, aiming to prevent man-elephant conflict. Additionally, the Supreme Court upheld the 2011 order of the Madras High Court on the Nilgiris elephant corridor, affirming the right of passage of the animals and enforcing the closure of resorts in the area.