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Talk of a wild idea. And it's come from not one but two heads — the forest and the railways ministries. None of the officials paused to ask themselves how they would discipline elephants when the inspired human race prefers to run through traffic — risking life, limb and a fine — rather than take an underpass or a pedestrian bridge.
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Having trumpeted the idea, the two ministries have no way out but to push ahead with the project. They have chalked out plans to construct several underpasses and overbridges across the tracks between New Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar Junction, where around 30 elephants have been run over by trains in the last 10 years.
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A recent circular issued jointly by the two ministries says the forest ministry will provide a list of locations for elephant freeways and railways will build them.
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“This is a bizarre idea. If elephants had that wit, they would have avoided train accidents. These animals use a conventional corridor, which they have been using for centuries, and will keep using. Even if overpasses/underpasses are constructed, they will still follow their ancestors' memory. We have to understand that it is we who have encroached on their territory," said Animesh Basu, coordinator of Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation.
Jumbos wise enough to obey rules: Officials
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Jalpaiguri: Forest officials working in the field are surprised by the decision to construct underpasses and overpasses for elephants along the rail tracks that run through the Dooars. “Elephants never change their corridor. Otherwise, they wouldn't cross Mechi River to enter Nepal where they get shot at and killed every year. It is an absurd idea to construct underpasses and overpasses," a senior forest official said.
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But according to foresters sitting in Kolkata, elephants are wise enough to obey the new rules. “They now are much more careful now while crossing the railway line. They have almost got habituated to train movements," said P K Roy, additional principal chief conservator of forests, wild life.
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To cut down elephant deaths in the Dooars, a section of experienced officials and environmentalists had suggested that the railways lay a new line between Jalpaiguri and Falakata, parallel to the Dooars track, and shift all goods train there to cut down traffic. But there are no signs that the proposal has been accepted.
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On the contrary, the railways has reportedly increased traffic on the route at night, when elephants generally move from one place to another.
Source: Pinak Priya Bhattacharya, TNN, Jalpaiguri
