Protect wild animals from train accidents

  • 28/05/2008

  • Statesman (Kolkata)

In a bid to save wild animals from getting killed after being hit by trains in north Bengal, the state will urge the Centre to ask the railways to follow norms while running trains through the forests of the area. State forest minister, Mr Ananta Roy, today said at Writers' Buildings that a number of elephants and other wild animals like snakes and bison were killed in north Bengal over the past few years after these were hit by speeding trains. State officials have raised the issue with railway officials in the past and every time railway officials promise to follow norms to save wild animals. The railway had promised to run trains at lower speed while going through forest areas. This apart, the trains would keep blowing its horn in the forest area frequently to alert the animals passing through the corridor. No goods train is allowed to pass through the area at night. But none of the norms are followed by the railways, said the minister. The minister also hinted that he would talk to the chief minister about the issue soon so he can take up the issue with the Centre.