share
follow us
Since 2015, 14 leopards, seven tigers and one bear have died in Madhya Pradesh. Now the State Wildlife Department has expressed many concerns regarding the construction of the railway line project between Barkheda and Budhni.
Sneha Baluni , BhopalSat, 19 Oct 2024 04:52 AM share
14 leopards, seven tigers and one bear have died in Madhya Pradesh since 2015. Now the State Wildlife Department has expressed many concerns regarding the construction of the railway line project between Barkheda and Budhni. Which shows that the measures taken to protect wildlife from accidents have not been implemented properly.
The Barkheda-Budni section, sanctioned in 2011-12, is a 26.50 km long track built at a cost of Rs 991.60 crore. It falls in Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve. This railway line came under scrutiny when three tiger cubs were injured after being hit by a train in a forested area of Midghat, about 70 km from Bhopal, on the night of 14-15 July. He eventually died due to his injuries.
According to the Indian Express report, records show that the wildlife department, in a review meeting on September 6 this year, sought compliance with certain conditions imposed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the National Wildlife Board regarding the construction of the railway line. The flaws were exposed. The department said that ‘the conditions imposed under the conditional permission received from the Government of India were not fully complied with by the agency (Indian Railways).’
One of the main issues raised during the meeting was the improper construction of the underpass, which was meant to provide safe passage for wildlife. The department said this ‘underpass is built over local drainage systems that get filled with water during monsoons, forcing the animals to seek alternative routes, which often takes them onto railway tracks.’
The report also said that ‘waterlogged areas near tracks due to poor drainage attract animals in search of water’, further increasing the risk of them colliding with rails. The meeting stressed the need to develop alternative water sources away from railway tracks. The speed limit dispute was also an issue in the meeting.
The department said that while the sanctioned speed limit for trains passing through forest areas was ‘set at 60 kmph, the boards installed by the railway authorities show speed limits of 75 and 65 kmph’, which is in violation of the prescribed safety measures. There is a clear violation. The issue of track maintenance was also discussed. Joint inspection by field staff, scientists and veterinarians revealed that ‘grass between the tracks hinders visibility, making it difficult for train pilots to see wildlife and for animals to avoid oncoming trains.’