Gadget Will Detect
Elephants On Tracks -
To prevent incidents of elephants getting hit by
trains, the ministry of railways and the ministry of environment and forest
(MoEF) will join hands to carry out a project wherein the Indian Institute of
Technology (IIT), Delhi, will develop a wireless sensor device. According to a
report by the Elephant Task Force, dated August 31, 2010, 150 jumbos have been
killed since 1987 after being hit by train.
The device — wild animal protection system — will detect the presence of elephants on railway tracks and activate a signal system alerting the station master to warn trains. The information given as response to an RTI inquiry (dated June 1), sought by international NGO Animal Equality, states the sensor device will be ready for trial in 2016. Amruta Ubale, a Pune-based member of Animal Equality, said, following many accidents that killed elephants, the organization had written to the railway minister and the environment and forests minister, urging them to consider the suggestions, including installation of radar sensors on trains to detect animal presence on the tracks.
Last year, at a meeting between the railway minister and the MoEF, the use of technological gadgets, which will be a cost-effective mechanism in the long run, was emphasized. The ministries had decided in 2011 to run the pilot project, preferably in the forest areas of north West Bengal, said Ubale.
“Sensor devices used by international car companies and some trains and ships, have proved useful in avoiding collisions,” said Ubale.
“The state forest department and animal welfare organizations jointly intervened in some states and implemented measures, such as patrolling, electric fencing, installation of signs and hoardings, levelling of steep embankments, creating awareness among engine drivers and railway staff and clearing vegetation at blind corners for better visibility. These appear to have been successful to some extent.
However, much needed to be done as trains continue to kill elephants. These measures combined with the sensor device shall hopefully prove successful in mitigating elephant deaths,” Ubale added.
The device — wild animal protection system — will detect the presence of elephants on railway tracks and activate a signal system alerting the station master to warn trains. The information given as response to an RTI inquiry (dated June 1), sought by international NGO Animal Equality, states the sensor device will be ready for trial in 2016. Amruta Ubale, a Pune-based member of Animal Equality, said, following many accidents that killed elephants, the organization had written to the railway minister and the environment and forests minister, urging them to consider the suggestions, including installation of radar sensors on trains to detect animal presence on the tracks.
Last year, at a meeting between the railway minister and the MoEF, the use of technological gadgets, which will be a cost-effective mechanism in the long run, was emphasized. The ministries had decided in 2011 to run the pilot project, preferably in the forest areas of north West Bengal, said Ubale.
“Sensor devices used by international car companies and some trains and ships, have proved useful in avoiding collisions,” said Ubale.
“The state forest department and animal welfare organizations jointly intervened in some states and implemented measures, such as patrolling, electric fencing, installation of signs and hoardings, levelling of steep embankments, creating awareness among engine drivers and railway staff and clearing vegetation at blind corners for better visibility. These appear to have been successful to some extent.
However, much needed to be done as trains continue to kill elephants. These measures combined with the sensor device shall hopefully prove successful in mitigating elephant deaths,” Ubale added.
According to a report in August 2010, 150 jumbos have
been killed since 1987 after being hit by trains
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