Elephants at Risk: NHIDCL and Railways Must Build Underpasses to Safeguard Habitat and Life

Agartala, March 15 – In a bid to protect the state’s only elephant corridor in Khowai district, the Tripura Forest Department has requested the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and the North East Frontier Railway (NFR) authorities to construct underpasses along the national highway and railway tracks. According to officials, the corridor in Teliamura, Krishnapur, and Kalyanpur areas is frequently traversed by wild elephant herds.

District Forest Officer (DFO) Akshay Bhodre pointed out that human-made obstructions, including railway tracks and highways, act as barriers to the natural movement of elephant herds. “To ensure the free movement of elephants through their natural routes from one part of the forest to another, all human-made obstructions should be removed,” he emphasized. Bhodre clarified that the Forest Department has submitted a proposal for the construction of underpasses on National Highway 08 during a presentation of the NHIDCL’s proposal for a four-lane expansion of the Mungiyakami to Chamapaknagar stretch.

Regarding the involvement of the North East Frontier Railway, Bhodre mentioned that the department had sent official requests for the construction of underpasses. “We have written to the railway authorities requesting underpasses, as they will help prevent accidents that sometimes turn fatal,” he stated. Currently, railway authorities operate trains at a prescribed speed limit in the corridor to minimize the risk of elephant fatalities. In December 2024, a 35-year-old male tusker, named “Tumor” by carers and veterinary doctors, was hit by a speeding train and succumbed to its injuries despite prompt medical attention, prompting the Forest Department to convene a meeting with all stakeholders to enhance safety measures for elephants in the corridor.

The recent fatality of “Tumor” has made it clear that immediate action is needed to protect the elephants and prevent similar tragedies. The Forest Department’s requests to the NHIDCL and NFR authorities come as a vital step towards ensuring the well-being and safety of the elephant population in the corridor. As the state’s Forest Department continues to work tirelessly to safeguard the habitat and movement of these majestic creatures, it remains to be seen if the authorities will take necessary measures to address this pressing issue and preserve the elephant corridor.

Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/north-east/tripura-forest-dept-urges-nhidcl-railways-to-build-underpasses-for-elephant-corridor-safety-1571234
Category : North East,Featured
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Publish Date: 2025-03-15 18:23:00