**Summary:**
Between 2019-20 and 2023-24, state governments and union territories reported 81 elephant deaths due to train collisions. In response, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in coordination with the Ministry of Railways, has implemented several preventative measures. These include speed restrictions in elephant habitats, pilot projects utilizing seismic sensors for elephant detection, and the construction of underpasses, ramps, and fencing at strategic locations.
The Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and other stakeholders, has published "Eco-friendly Measures to Mitigate Impacts of Linear Infrastructure" to guide project agencies in designing infrastructure that minimizes human-animal conflict. Capacity building workshops were also conducted for Railway officials at the Wildlife Institute of India in 2023 and 2024.
A comprehensive report, "Suggested Measures to Mitigate Elephant Other Wildlife Train Collisions on Vulnerable Railway Stretches in India," was prepared following field surveys of 127 railway stretches (3,452.4 km). The report prioritizes 77 railway stretches (1,965.2 km) across 14 states for mitigation, based on wildlife movement intensity, and proposes site-specific interventions. This report has been shared with both State Governments and the Ministry of Railways.
Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh provided this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and conservation.
Ministry of Railways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the country's railway network.
Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun: An autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change focused on wildlife research and training, located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh: Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Ecofriendly Measures to Mitigate Impacts of Linear Infrastructure: A document published to assist project agencies in designing linear infrastructure to reduce human-animal conflicts.
Suggested Measures to Mitigate Elephant Other Wildlife Train Collisions on Vulnerable Railway Stretches in India: A comprehensive report prepared after field surveys across identified railway stretches.
14 States: Fourteen states in India that have been prioritized for mitigation efforts regarding wildlife movement on railway stretches.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Parliament Question:- Death of Elephants due to
Train Collision
Posted On: 28 JUL 2025 3:52PM by PIB Delhi
As per information received from State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, a total of 81
elephant casualties due to train collisions were reported by various states between 2019-20 and 2023-24.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, in coordination with the Ministry of Railways,
has taken several measures to prevent elephant deaths on railway tracks including conducting inter-
ministerial meetings. Speed restrictions in elephant habitats, pilot projects like seismic sensor-based
elephant detection, construction of underpasses, ramps, fencing, have been undertaken at various locations.
Further, the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun in consultation with the Ministry of Environment Forest,
and Climate Change and other stakeholders has published a document namely ‘Eco-friendly Measures to
Mitigate Impacts of Linear Infrastructure’ to assist project agencies in designing linear infrastructure,
including railways lines, in a manner that reduces human-animal conflicts.
Capacity building workshops for Railway officials were conducted in 2023 and 2024 at the Wildlife
Institute of India to sensitize them on various aspects of elephant conservation and protection.
A comprehensive report titled “Suggested Measures to Mitigate Elephant & Other Wildlife Train
Collisions on Vulnerable Railway Stretches in India” has been prepared after field surveys across 127
identified railway stretches spanning a total of 3,452.4 km. Based on the intensity of wildlife movement,
77 railway stretches covering 1,965.2 km across 14 States have been prioritized for mitigation along with
site-specific interventions. The report containing the details of the identified stretches and the mitigation
measures has been also shared with the State Governments and the Ministry of Railways.
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri
Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
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VM/GS
(Release ID: 2149284)