The Importance of Elephants on Railways and How Indian Railways Are Taking Steps to Protect Them

Elephants are iconic wildlife on Earth, known for their graceful, loud songs, and enormous endurance. However, they have recently faced a growing threat when found on Indian railways during high-speed trains. The Indian Railways (IR) has taken proactive measures to protect elephants and other wild species from appearing on railway tracks. This blog will delve into the innovative measures IR is implementing to safeguard these animals.

1. The Problem: Elephants on Railways

Elephants are not only majestic but also highly intelligent, capable of detecting subtle changes in their surroundings. However, they have become a problem for Indian Railways due to their tendency to roam freely on tracks during peak travel seasons. Some elephants have been reported appearing at critical railway stations, posing a serious threat to passengers and staff.

The Forest Department has identified numerous railway locations where elephants are known to graze. These areas often include high-speed trains, which pose a significant challenge for wildlife conservation efforts.

2. Indian Railways’ Innovative Measures

Indian Railways has implemented several innovative measures to protect elephants and wildlife on their tracks:

(i) AI-Enabled Intrusion Detection System (IDS)

The most notable measure is the development of an AI-enabled IDS system. This advanced technology uses distributed acoustic sensors (DAS) to detect elephant movement on railway tracks. The system consists of optical fibers, hardware, and pre-installed signatures of elephant locomotion.

This IDS system was deployed across 141 Railway Tracks (Rkms) in the northeast frontier railway district identified by the Forest Department. It has been operational since April 2020 and operates over a total length of 1,158 Rkm. The cost associated with this project is Rs. 2,08 crore.

(ii) Vandalism Control and Speed Limits

In addition to the IDS system, IR has taken measures to address any illegal or unauthorized movement of elephants on tracks. This includes imposing speed restrictions at critical locations, alerting train crews, and encouraging regular consultations with Forest officials for updates and awareness.

(iii) Construction of Underpasses and Ramps

To further protect elephants, underpasses and ramps have been constructed specifically for elephant movement. These areas are designed to limit elephant traffic and prevent their movement onto railway tracks.

(iv) Prohibition of Fencing and Signage Boards

Fencing around the tracks is prohibited to prevent elephants from crossing into railway land. Additionally, signage boards at elephant corridors are installed to warn trains about the presence of wild animals.

(v) Implementation of Electrical Lighting with Solar Power

To combat the issue of wild animals in low-light conditions, LED lighting with a solar power system has been installed along elephant corridors. This feature helps prevent elephants from moving into railway land despite poor visibility.

(vi) Clearance of Vegetation and edible Items

Vegetation and edible items are cleared surrounding railway tracks to ensure that elephants cannot easily approach the tracks in the future.

(vii) deployment of Tracking Equipment by Forest Department

The Forest Department has deployed elephant trackers at various locations. These devices provide real-time information about elephant movements, enabling prompt alerts to loco pilots and station masters for preventive actions.

(viii) honey Buzzer Devices

Honey bee buzzers have been installed at level crossings. The sound produced by this device acts as a deterrent against elephants, preventing them from moving towards railway tracks.

(ix) Thermal Vision Camera System

In addition to the above measures, a thermal vision camera system is being tested for detecting wild animals on straight tracks during poor visibility conditions. This system alerts loco pilots in case of any detection.

3. The Impact on Elephant Deaths

The implementation of these measures has resulted in a significant reduction in elephant deaths on railway tracks:

• In 2013, there were 26 elephant deaths reported.
• By 2024, the number of deaths had decreased to just 12, representing a reduction of over 50%.

This effective collaboration between Indian Railways and the Forest Department has demonstrated their commitment to wildlife conservation.

Conclusion

Indian Railways’ measures to protect elephants on railway tracks are not only innovative but also crucial in reducing human-wild animal conflict. By implementing advanced technologies, speed restrictions, and clearances, IR is working towards a future where elephants are safe from harm on our railways. This partnership with the Forest Department highlights the importance of wildlife conservation efforts that can have long-lasting benefits for both animals and the people who depend on our transportation network.