Speed limit for trains to protect elephants

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

Following several rounds of discussion Railway officials together with Wildlife Conservation Authorities will impose speed limits for trains on certain areas on the Northern and Eastern railway track, Wildlife and Agrarian Services Minister S.M. Chandrasena said.

"According to the talks we had with Railway officials, the trains need to limit their speed in areas where elephants cross the railway track," Minister Chandrasena told the 'Sunday Observer'.

According to the Wildlife Conservation Department Director General H.D. Ratnayake new signposts will be set up at these spots on the Northern and Eastern railway track. "These signposts will alert train drivers that elephants cross these spots and drivers

would have to reduce their speed," said Ratnayake.

"We are exploring the possibility of clearing jungle patches at these spots. This is due to the low visibility at the bends along the jungle tracks which could cause accidents," Ratnayake said.

Around five elephants were killed this year due to train accidents and there have been 180 elephant deaths, according to the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Wildlife officials said a large number of elephants die due to hakkapatas set up in cultivations by farmers to protect crops from elephants.