DNA Edit: Crushed under wheels - Highways, railway lines are dangerous for animals
It is common sense that highways and railway tracks running through or close to forests that animals use for their migratory treks will only result in deaths of animals.
Animals in India, even those protected by laws, live precarious lives because humans do not respect the sanctity of their natural abode. Three young Asiatic lions of Gir — aged about two — were run over by a freight train.
A railway line so close to a lion sanctuary can only spell disaster for these majestic creatures. Though an inquiry is underway to ascertain if lion trackers were at fault, the deaths could have been avoided if the trains were not moving at a speed of 50-55 km or plying at such frequency.
Around 30 trains travel on the Botad-Pipavav Port route daily, which makes the probability of accidents pretty strong. A nilgai was mowed down by a train at the same spot on Sunday. The Gir lions are extremely vulnerable given their rapidly dwindling numbers.
In the last four months, some 35 lions, including cubs, have died, a majority from viral infections. In 2016-17, as many as 32 lions died due to “unnatural causes” like falling into wells or being run over by trains in Gir. Not just lions, even elephants suffer the same gruesome fate. If the environment ministry’s data is to be believed, every year 80 elephants die due to electrocution, poaching, train accidents, and poisoning, signifying a shrinking of habitat and an increase in man-animal conflicts.
It is common sense that highways and railway tracks running through or close to forests that animals use for their migratory treks will only result in deaths of animals. An increase in human population and development imperatives have eaten into protected areas.
For instance, lack of food and disturbance in elephant corridors have led the pachyderms to destroy crops and incur the wrath of farmers. Indian forests are fast disappearing as lands are being cleared for industries and mines.