Eco-bridges proposed to curb tiger deaths on railway line in Asifabad

Forest officials in Kumram Bheem Asifabad have proposed three 100-metre eco-bridges across the railway line between Rebbena and Sirpur (T) mandal to prevent wildlife deaths caused by speeding trains. The eco-bridges and fencing are expected to mitigate risks and protect wildlife in the region.

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: Three overpass eco-bridges have been proposed at different locations across the railway line between Rebbena and Sirpur (T) mandal to prevent wildlife casualties caused by speeding trains on the track that passes through forests of the district.

Forest officials said the three eco-bridges, each measuring 100 metres, were proposed across the 20-kilometre railway line and a fence along the network to mitigate impact on the wildlife. A team of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) visited the track in August and advised the officials to take steps to avoid deaths of wildlife caused by collisions with trains.

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According to officials, multiple tigers were killed when they were run over by trains while crossing the broad-gauge track in the forests of Maharashtra and on the borders of Telangana over the last few years. In the latest instance, a tiger died on the spot when it was mowed down by train in the forests of Manikgarh and Virur villages in Rajura Taluka of Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district on Sunday.

Similarly, a leopard was killed after being run over by a train in the forests of Sirpur (T) a few years back. Scores of herbivores such as spotted deer, nilgai and other animals are injured after being hit by trains while attempting to cross the track at regular intervals. The accidents prompted the officials to take preventive measures.

Officials said tigers inhabiting the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve  (TATR) of Chandrapur district often migrate to the forests of Telangana in search of territories and partners for mating in winter risking their lives.

Some of them cross the railway line and end up being killed on the tracks before achieving their objectives. Some other tigers were poached as well.

Thirty persons were arrested in May for poaching an adult female resident tiger at Yellur village in Penchikalpet mandal on March 15. K8, an offspring of Phalguna settled in the forests of Kagaznagar division in 2019. Phalguna, a tiger residing in TATR, drifted into the forests in Telangana to find another territory in 2018.

Carcasses of two tigers were recently recovered in the forests of Darigaon village in Kagaznagar mandal on January 6 and 8 in 2024. Initially, the forest officials suspected that the cause of death of the first tiger could be a territorial fight. However, it was later discovered that the second tiger was poisoned and culprits were subsequently arrested.