Assam News: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Sunday that the Centre has sought a report on the death of seven elephants in a train accident in Assam’s Hojai district the previous day.
The Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change also said that all states have been asked to monitor the movement of elephants along railway tracks.
Instructions Issued
Speaking to reporters after a meeting of ‘Project Elephant’ and the National Tiger Conservation Authority in the Sundarbans of West Bengal, he said that railway authorities have been instructed to coordinate with the state forest departments regarding the movement of elephants along the tracks. Coordination between loco pilots (train drivers) and forest officials is essential.
Seven Elephants Died
It may be recalled that seven elephants were killed and one injured when a herd of elephants was hit by the Saurang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express train in Hojai district of Assam early Saturday morning. Five coaches and the engine of the train also derailed in the incident. The minister said that district magistrates have also been asked to keep the forest department informed about the movement of elephants on highways.
