Every year on August 12, we celebrate 'World Elephant Day' to acknowledge the majesty of the largest land animals on Earth. India is home to more than half of the world's Asian elephant population. However, elephants face a significant threat - train accidents and fatalities. According to official records, around 200 elephants were killed in train collisions between 2010 and 2020, which means approximately 20 elephants die every year due to such accidents.
Indian Railways spans over 130,000 km of track across the country, and there are 150 identified elephant corridors in India. Many of these corridors overlap with railway tracks, fragmenting habitats and making it challenging for elephants to inhabit their natural spaces.
Last December, a tragic incident occurred in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, where a female elephant and her calf were hit by a speeding train while crossing the tracks. The adult elephant died, and the calf was paralyzed in its hind legs. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Uttarakhand Forest Department, the calf was rescued and is currently undergoing treatment at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital in Mathura. The calf, named 'Bani,' is a reminder of the ongoing issue of railway lines and train accidents.
This incident prompted Wildlife SOS to start a petition ((link unavailable)) and appeal to Indian Railways to reduce train speeds and adopt modern technology to prevent collisions in sensitive areas. Wildlife SOS aims to collect 30,000 signatures and submit the petition to Indian Railways.
On this 'World Elephant Day,' we want to highlight the danger of habitat fragmentation. There's no better way to discuss this issue than through the story of baby elephant 'Bani,' who lost her herd and became an orphan due to the accident.
'World Elephant Day' reminds us of the importance of elephants and their place in nature. Our petition is a crucial step towards conserving the wild elephant population in India."