The Tripura Forest Department has lodged a complaint with the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) after a wild elephant was seriously injured by a speeding train in the state's Khowai district, officials said on Monday.
A senior forest official said that a complaint was lodged with the NFR's Divisional Manager, Lumding.
The official said that a 35-year-old wild elephant was severely injured after being hit by a speeding train at Shalbagan areas under Teliamura Forest Division on Saturday.
He said that at the initiative of the forest officials, the doctors of the state veterinary hospital have been providing medical treatment to the injured jumbo since Sunday.
According to the forest officials, a local train from Agartala to Dharmangar in northern Tripura hit the elephant on Saturday night while the animal was passing along the railway track.
Both back legs of the elephant were fractured and it cannot even crawl due to the wounds, the official said, adding that the train, which was supposed to run at a limited speed of 20 km per hour as the areas are notified elephant corridors but the train might have crossed the areas at 50 km per hour speed leading it to hit the wild elephant.
An official of the NFR also said that they are inquiring about the incident.
According to forest officials, an elephant had died in February after being hit by a train in the same designated elephant corridors.
Saturday night's incident could have been avoided had the train operated within the stipulated speed of 20 km per hour, the official said.
As per wildlife experts, elephants are classified as Schedule-I animals under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2022, and recognised as endangered species, besides the National Heritage Animal in the country, deserve the highest level of protection and respect.
Preventive measures may be taken to map out such corridor routes and work in tandem with relevant stakeholders such as Railways, the National Highways Authority of India, district administrations and state PWD to strengthen safety measures, an expert said.
Over 15,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras offering medicines at 50-90 pc lower prices daily: Nadda
Over 15,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country are offering medicines at 50-90 per cent lower prices daily, said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Jan Aushadhi Diwas on Friday.
Centre aims to reduce road accidents by 50 pc in 2030, next-gen safety must: Gadkari
Speaking at the two-day ‘Global Road Infratech Summit and Expo (GRIS); in the national capital, the minister observed that most of the road accidents that happen in the country are due to poor civil engineering practices in road design, construction, and management and improper road signages and marking systems.
US Supreme Court rejects Tahawwur Rana's extradition stay request
The US Supreme Court has rejected a plea by 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana, seeking a stay on his extradition to India to face trial
PM Modi on two-day visit to Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Gujarat from today, to launch several projects
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin his two-day visit to the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Gujarat on Friday, where he will launch several developmental projects.
EAM Jaishankar visits General Post Office Museum, interacts with former PM Leo Varadkar in Dublin
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar began his visit to Ireland from the iconic General Post Office Museum, Trinity College and interacted with Irish leaders such as former PM Leo Varadkar.
Trump delays some tariffs on Mexico and Canada for one month
US President Donald Trump has signed executive actions that delay for nearly one month tariffs on all products from Mexico and Canada that are covered by the USMCA free trade treaty, a significant walkback of the administration's signature economic plan that has rattled markets, businesses and consumers.
EAM Jaishankar calls on Ireland President Michael Higgins, discusses role of culture in strengthening nationhood
External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar, has called on Irish President Michael D Higgins, marking the beginning of his visit to Ireland where he is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Irish counterpart.
US, Ukraine to hold peace talks in Saudi Arabia next week, says Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he would travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ahead of diplomatic-level talks later in the week with US officials.