In the aftermath of 7 jumbo deaths in a span of 3 weeks in Assam due to speeding trains, the WWF has recommended to develop adequate warning systems and identify vulnerable railway sections to prevent such incidents.
The animal right's body also suggested patrolling near railway tracks, real time information system to warn locomotive drivers of probable elephant crossings, speed limits near wildlife habitats and awareness programmes for railway staff about the "right of passage" in wildlife areas, it said in a statement.
It called for a fresh study to earmark areas populated by elephants.
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"There are 27 identified elephant corridors under the Northeast Frontier Railway. However, elephant herds are also found to be now crossing railway tracks which are not earmarked as vulnerable. In light of this, a fresh assessment needs to be done to identify new vulnerable railway sections," the statement said.
According to Wildlife Trust of India, 41 per cent of elephant corridors in the country are in north-eastern states. Further, 25 per cent of these corridors in Assam have railway lines passing through them.
MoS Railways Rajen Gohain had recently directed to reduce train speeds to 30 km per hour after the incidents of jumbo deaths came to light.
Three elephants, including two pregnant ones and a juvenile, were killed at Hojai in Nagaon district of Assam on December 4. Another elephant died after being hit by a train in Goalpara district the next day. Last week, a speeding train engine killed three more elephants, including a calf near Nagaon in the state.
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