Chennai, Nov 29, : Officials from Tamil Nadu’s Palakkad railway section and Tamil Nadu’s forest officials have agreed to erect an electric fence in the railway tracks between Kanjikode & Madukkarai that will prevent elephants crossing the tracks. This follows tensions between the sides after three elephants, including a six year-old calf were killed by a speeding train at Navakkarai, Madukkarai, on Friday night.
Two Loco Pilots from the Mangalore- Chennai express train were charged by the forest department under Section 9 of Wildlife Act.They were responsible for the deaths of the elephants.
Five officials from Tamil Nadu’s forest department reached Palakkad railway division in order to get the microchip that records speed of train.They were stopped by the Railway workers union and the Loco pilots union.
After high-level intervention from the top officials from both departments, the issue was resolved.
The Tamil Nadu Forest department had taken inspiration from the effective electric fencing in Nagarahole forest, Karnataka, to stop elephants entering the fields.
It will also seek support from the forest department in Kerala and the Southern Railway, Palakkad Division to implement electric fencing along the vulnerable stretch of Kanjikode to Madukkarai.
Since 2016, eleven wild elephants, including calves have been killed by speeding trains.
According to Tamil Nadu forest officials railways will provide old rails to the fences.The fences will also be installed along a 25-kilometer stretch between Madukkarai and Kanjikode stations.
The fence is expected to receive a grant from Tamil Nadu state government to cover the costs of installation.
Tamil Nadu forest department will also employ night watchmen in the stretch to provide day and night patrolling in both Track A and Track B.Three watchmen will be present during the day, while six watchmen are available for night duty.
Officials from the forest department stated that trains used during night travel on track B are more efficient than those using track A for day travel.
According to a senior official from the forest department, “Till fencing’s over, the watchmen will dissuade elephants from traveling in rail track.We cannot afford to have any more elephants killed by speeding trains.
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