Every year, many wild animals, including tigers, are dying after being hit by fast-moving trains on the Ballarshah-Chandrapur-Gondia railway line. In response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has asked the Railway Department and the petitioners to work together and find solutions to prevent these tragic accidents. The case was heard by Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Ajit Kathethankar. The petition was filed by Udayan Patil and Swanand Soni. They told the court that high-speed trains are killing animals that cross the railway line, especially in forest areas. Between 2001 and 2021, 130 wild animals were killed on this 250-kilometre-long railway line. These included tigers, leopards, pythons, eagles and other animals listed in the Schedule-1 category, which are given the highest level of protection under Indian wildlife laws. About 60 kilometers of this railway track passes through thick and sensitive forests.

 

These include the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Chandrapur forest, Gondia forest, and the Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve. The petitioners told the court that 24 passenger trains and many freight trains run on this line every day. They also pointed out that on December 10, 2013, the Supreme Court had ordered that train speeds should be reduced in forest areas and loud horns should be used to scare away animals.

 

These instructions came during the hearing of the Shakti Prasad Nayak case. However, the petitioners said that both the central and state governments have not taken serious steps to follow these directions. As a result, wildlife continues to die in railway accidents. Adv Yash Sambre represented the petitioners in court. The High Court has now asked the Railways and petitioners to discuss the matter and come up with effective solutions to protect wildlife.