Uttarakhand / Kotdwara: Elephant dies after being hit by new express train running from Delhi Anand Vihar Terminal to Kotdwar
Kotdwar: The new express train which reached Kotdwar at 3:50 am from Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi was going to Najibabad for stopping. Meanwhile, an elephant got hit by a train in the Kaudiya range of Najibabad Vanprabha. The elephant died on the spot after being hit by the train. Electricity lines have also been damaged at the spot. The number of deaths of elephants after being hit by trains is continuously increasing in the state. Earlier, a male elephant died after being hit by the Upasana Express train near Sitapur gate on the Haridwar-Laksar railway track.
In the last 22 years, 508 elephants have died in the state due to various reasons, out of which 23 elephants have died after being hit by a train. 16 elephants alone have been hit by a train on the Dehradun-Haridwar-Dehradun railway track. The number of elephants in the state has increased in the last 12 years, but there has been no decrease in their death rate. The death of 508 elephants from 2001 till date is a huge figure. However, most elephant deaths are due to natural causes.
Nine elephants died in poaching
During this period, from 2001 till now, a total of 184 elephants died natural death. At the same time, 96 elephants were killed in mutual conflicts, while 78 elephants died in various accidents. Apart from this, 43 elephants died due to electric shock and one elephant died due to poisoning. Nine elephants died in poaching and 23 elephants died after being hit by a train.
Apart from this, in 71 cases where one elephant died after it was declared dangerous for people, the death of the elephant could not be detected. Here, Chief Wildlife Warden Dr. Sameer Sinha says that efforts are being made at various levels to reduce the cases of elephant bites on railway tracks.
16 elephants lost their lives on Doon-Haridwar railway track
Since the formation of the state, 16 elephants have been killed by trains on the Dehradun-Haridwar railway track. On April 19, 2019, two tusker elephants died while crossing the railway track at Sitapur railway gate. On January 13, 2013, two elephants lost their lives when they were hit by a train in the same area. On 17 February 2018 and 20 March 2018, two elephants died after being hit by Nanda Devi Express. After this, on June 26, 2018, an elephant died after being hit by the Kathgodam Express. Similarly, since the formation of the state, 16 elephants have become victims of trains.
