These deaths have occurred undoubtedly due to the failure of SWR in taking preventive measures. This is the sixth time that a wild animal had been knocked down on the same railway line. Two bison were hit by a train near Londa in February and March this year, while another one was crushed under a train near Dharwad in December last year,”
- Giridhar Kulkarni, wildlife activist
.
Wildlife lovers raise alarm
over rising deaths of animals
Elephant calf, bison killed after they were hit by trains in separate incidents
.
THE GOAN NETWORK
BELAGAVI
Rising incidents of wild animals getting fatally struck by trains have not only posed threat to wildlife in the reserved forestland between Khanapur, Nagargalli and Castle Rock forest zone, it has also caused unrest among wildlife lovers in the region.
In two separate incidents in the region, an elephant calf and a bison were killed after they were hit by trains while crossing the tracks.
On September 3, an 18-month elephant calf was hit by a speeding train at Nagargalli forest area and it succumbed to injuries.
In another incident near Tinaighat railway station on Monday, a bison was found dead after it was hit by a train.The bison was found dead near the railway tracks.
Briefing media persons regarding both the incidents, wildlife activist Giridhar Kulkarni of Belagavi, who visited both the spots, blamed the South Western Railways (SWR) for the deaths of wildlife animals in this section.
“These deaths have occurred undoubtedly due to the failure of SWR in taking preventive measures. This is the sixth time that a wild animal had been knocked down on the same railway line. Two bison were hit by a train near Londa in February and March this year, while another one was crushed under a train near Dharwad in December last year,” he said.
According to sources, task of preventing wildlife animals while crossing the railway tracks is daunting. However, sources said that SWR authorities are in discussion with forest officials regarding possible preventive measures that could be initiated to safeguard wildlife.
