The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) has appealed to the government to restrict the night train movements through the Walayar forests in view of frequent elephant deaths on the railway tracks between Walayar and Madukkarai.
More than 30 elephants, including calves, were killed after hit by speeding trains between Walayar and Madukkarai since 2000. In spite of various measures adopted by Railways and the Forest Department, the elephant deaths continued unabated.
The WPSI conducted a study about the elephant deaths on the 15-km stretch of tracks between Walayar and Madukkarai, and submitted its recommendations to a panel of judicial officers who examined the scene on Sunday at the behest of the Madras High Court. WPSI South Asian project officer S. Guruvayurappan handed over the report the judicial officers from Chennai.
