‘Tumour’ is dead : Tripura Forest Dept Files Complaint Against Railways
In a tragic incident highlighting the ongoing conflict between wildlife and human activity, a wild elephant named “Tumour” succumbed to severe injuries after being hit by a speeding train in Tripura’s Khowai district. The accident occurred late Saturday night in the Shalbagan area, which falls under the Teliamura Forest Division, a designated elephant corridor.
The Tripura Forest Department has filed a formal complaint with the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), holding the railway authorities responsible for negligence. A senior forest official confirmed that the complaint was lodged with the Divisional Manager of the Lumding division, seeking accountability for the breach of speed restrictions in a protected wildlife zone.
The Incident
According to forest officials, the 35-year-old elephant was crossing the railway track when it was struck by a local train operating between Agartala and Dharmanagar. The collision left the animal with both hind legs fractured, rendering it unable to move. Despite immediate medical intervention by veterinary doctors from the state hospital, the elephant succumbed to its injuries after prolonged suffering.
Forest officials revealed that trains passing through the area are mandated to maintain a speed limit of 20 kilometers per hour due to the region’s designation as an elephant corridor. However, the train involved in the incident was allegedly traveling at around 50 kilometers per hour, a blatant violation of the stipulated speed limit.
Repeated Violations and Fatalities
This is not the first such incident in Tripura. In February, another elephant lost its life in a similar accident within the same protected corridor. Forest officials have expressed frustration over recurring violations of speed restrictions, which they believe directly contribute to these avoidable tragedies.
“The Saturday night incident could have been prevented had the train adhered to the prescribed speed limit,” said a forest department official.
Elephants: National Heritage Animals
Elephants are classified as Schedule-I animals under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2022, granting them the highest level of protection. Additionally, they are recognized as National Heritage Animals, symbolizing their cultural and ecological significance in India.
Wildlife experts emphasize the critical need to enhance safety measures for these endangered species. “Preventive measures such as mapping out elephant corridors, deploying advanced monitoring systems, and collaborating with stakeholders like the Railways, National Highways Authority of India, district administrations, and public works departments are essential to mitigate such risks,” said a conservation expert.
Railway Inquiry Underway
An official from the NFR has confirmed that an inquiry into the incident has been initiated. The Forest Department, meanwhile, has urged railway authorities to enforce speed regulations strictly and implement additional safety measures, such as warning systems and fencing, along high-risk corridors.
Call for Action
The incident has sparked outrage among conservationists and the public, who are demanding stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws and better coordination between forest and railway authorities. “Such incidents tarnish India’s commitment to wildlife conservation and its responsibility to protect our National Heritage Animals,” said an environmentalist.
As the investigation continues, the death of Tumour serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need to balance developmental activities with the preservation of wildlife habitats.
