The Gujarat High Court issued directives to prevent lion fatalities on railway tracks. This decision comes in response to concerns over Asiatic lions being frequently run over by trains, emphasizing the need for measures to mitigate such incidents. The court’s instructions aim to safeguard the endangered lions and address the ongoing challenges posed by railway activities in their habitat.
Ahmedabad, Mar 26: On Tuesday, the Gujarat High Court issued directives for the necessity for the railway authority and the forest department to collaborate and to make a standard operating procedure to prevent lions from being struck by trains.
The court stated its refusal to tolerate the recurring deaths of these big cats caused by the indifference of the railway to a standard operating procedure (SOP) to mitigate such tragedies.
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Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal emphasized the need to bring down the number of lion fatalities on railway tracks to zero, condemning the apathy of the Railways towards these incidents.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the railway’s response to the deaths of two lions in January, the HC directed coordinated efforts between railway and forest officials to safeguard the country’s pride, the Asiatic lions.
The HC highlighted concerns raised by the amicus curiae regarding railway projects near Gir Sanctuary, urging the railway authority to refrain from converting gauge lines without the necessary approvals from wildlife boards.
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The court emphasized the necessity of stopping the movement of goods trains during nocturnal hours, as lions, being nocturnal creatures, are at a heightened risk of collisions during the night.
“It is stated that the forest department had written to the Railways to not go ahead with the project without the National Board for Wildlife’s (NBWL) nod. It is further stated that there is a kind of understanding with officials of Railway that a nod of the state board for wildlife and NBWL is not needed when there is no land acquisition for the project,” the HC stated.
“No reason is forthcoming from the Railway as to why conversion of the railway line on such routes is necessitated,” it said.
“The railways and state government in coordination with each other should reinstall the fencing /barricades along the railway track, and discuss whether they should be reinstalled throughout the sanctuary and nearby areas up to at least 100 km to curb such accidents in future,” it said.
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Through its directives, the Gujarat High Court aims to address the pressing issue of lion deaths on railway tracks and ensure the protection of these endangered species.
