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| We need ecologically sustainable development goals that should prioritize on wildlife in ecologically critical areas |
Linear fragmentation threats such as railway lines, highways,
power evacuation and transmission lines pose a threat to wildlife survival in a
multitude of ways. They act as barriers for movement of species especially
those that need contiguous tree canopy such as lion-tailed macaque, loris,
Malabar giant and flying squirrels, flying snake, or smaller animals such as
turtles that find it very hard to cross railway tracks. This restricted movement
limits access of food sources, nesting sites that are spread across the forests
apart from genetic isolation of populations. However the most noticeable impact
is the direct killing of animals by speeding trains.
High numbers of elephant mortalities are recorded from the
states of Assam, West Bengal, Orissa and Uttarakhand due to train accidents.
Elephant deaths are obviously noticed due to their mammoth body size. However deaths
of several other animals go unnoticed as the carcass will be sliced to pieces
and strewn around making the mortality undetected. Tiger, leopard, deer and
several other species that have demised due to trains have been recorded from
various parts of the country. Casualties will be high particularly at night and
at curves when visibility for engine drivers will be poor.
As the country marches ahead on its economic front, developing
transportation infrastructure has been a key priority investment sector for the
government. During the years 2011-12 and 2012-13, an amount of Rs 117,730 crore
has been earmarked for Indian railways to provide better connectivity. This
investment is key for improvement of country’s economy; however, care needs to
be taken when some of these railway lines pass through ecologically sensitive
areas.
The Government of Kerala is lobbying for a railway line to
be built through Bandipur Tiger Reserve to upgrade connectivity between Mysore
and the Waynad districts. There are already two highways through this tiger
reserve, and a train line parallel to these highways would further fragment the
wildlife habitat. Despite the suggestion by the railways that an alternate
route would be better suited, local leaders and a few “environmental”
organisations are strongly promoting this project including filing an
application in the Supreme Court. These ruinous projects need to be curtailed
before they blossom.
Similarly the North Bengal-Sikkim line along the foothills
of Kanchanjunga and Teesta river valley passing through Mahananda Wildlife
Sanctuary, Chamrajnagar-Mettupalyam line in Karnataka and Tamilnadu,
upgradation of railway line in the Periyar-Agasthyamalai corridor in Kerala and
Tamilnadu will all impede movement of wildlife.
Mitigation measures
Suggestions are made to build electric fences along the railway
line to prevent elephants crossing the tracks. This will be more detrimental to
the elephants and other animals as it stops their movement (migratory)
patterns.
Though slowing down train speeds, early warning systems and other
mitigation measures exists and are partially effective, long-lasting solutions
are better suited. New railway lines or gauge expansion in areas where
conservation sets precedence over development such as national parks, wildlife
sanctuaries and elephant reserves that form a small portion of the country’s
geographical area, should be avoided. The priority in these areas is to ensure
that we provide spaces with little disturbance to wildlife. No new railway lines
should be proposed or approved by the railways in these ecologically sensitive
areas.
Similarly the country can now afford realignment of railway
lines to outside our natural heritages to preserve wildlife. Where realignment is not practical, mitigation
measures should be strictly implemented based on solid understanding of
wildlife issues However we need to be clear that measures such as monitoring
movements of elephants to warn train drivers is perhaps impractical. Elephants
or any other wildlife are not domestic livestock that could be monitored or
herded round the clock.
Concerned over the rising number of elephant deaths on
railway tracks, a parliamentary committee has now been appointed to assess and
recommend to mitigate this serious threat. It is extremely important that the
committee consults those involved in saving elephants from various threats.
This gives a broader picture of the threat and possible solutions. The flawed Environment
Impact Assessment (EIA) process in the country needs rejig and agencies
implementing the projects should not be funding the EIA studies as the reports
are very likely to be in favor of the funding agency.
Railway lines, roads, transmission lines are all necessary
to provide connectivity, power and communication. However a sensitive approach
towards wildlife, both in planning and implementation, is currently lacking and
a more holistic developmental approach is indispensable.
Railway lines were
initiated in the mid-nineteenth century when forest tracts were extensive,
building transportation network was experimented and importantly there were no
serious threats to wildlife conservation. However in the changed socio-economic
scenario there should be priorities for achieving ecologically sustainable
developmental goals. It is an opportunity for the parliamentary committee to put
things on the right track.
An edited version of this article was published in Indian Express on 01-02-2013 http://www.indianexpress.com/news/on-the-elephant-s-track/1067532/1
