Concerns Rise Over Elephant Corridors After Fatal Train Incidents in Assam

Tragic Incident Sparks Debate on Elephant Corridors

Guwahati, Jan 3: The recent tragedy involving the death of eight elephants due to a train collision in Hojai district has reignited discussions regarding the effectiveness of designated elephant corridors in light of ongoing habitat destruction.

A study reveals that from 2000 to 2023, train accidents have claimed the lives of 67 elephants in Assam. Alarmingly, many of these incidents occurred outside officially recognized elephant corridors, raising questions about the adequacy of current conservation strategies.

The unfortunate event in Hojai also transpired outside a designated corridor. Railway officials have stated that there were no mandatory speed limits in that area.

Conservationists contend that the increasing fragmentation of forest habitats is pushing elephants to venture beyond traditional corridors, rendering existing classifications ineffective in preventing such incidents.

Kaushik Barua, a conservationist, remarked, “The term corridor is misleading. A significant portion of the railway track in this area (Lumding) intersects with elephant movement zones. Just because elephants frequent certain areas doesn’t mean we should label them as corridors and limit our monitoring efforts to these spots, neglecting others. Without a shift in our perspective, we will continue to see such tragedies.”

A government report indicates that the Northeast region has approximately 48 recognized corridors, yet elephant movement has diminished in 14 of them, with nine being classified as “impaired.”

Dr. Bibhab Talukdar, secretary general of Aaranyak, explained, “Elephant corridors, which are strips of natural land connecting fragmented habitats, provide elephants with a designated ‘right of passage’ to travel safely between larger forest areas for food, water, mating, and genetic diversity. The survival of elephants relies on these vital channels, which facilitate gene flow and maintain healthy populations. However, significant alterations to their habitats and disturbances from local communities have forced elephants to abandon previously identified corridors in parts of Assam.”

He added that since movement is a biological necessity for elephants, they are now exploring alternative routes, leading them to cross railway tracks outside the recognized corridors.

“Proactive measures should extend beyond the corridors, involving local institutions such as Village Defense Parties (VDP),” he suggested.

A recent study highlighted that areas with frequent human-elephant interactions are often located near fragmented forests, agricultural lands, and encroached corridors. Human encroachment into elephant habitats has disrupted their migratory paths, compelling them to enter human settlements in search of food and water, thereby escalating conflicts.

“Moreover, the degradation of forest corridors has altered elephant movement patterns, forcing them to navigate through human areas,” the study concluded.