Suggested Measures to Mitigate Asian Elephant - Train Collisions on Vulnerable Railway Stretches in the state of Assam.

Abstract

Assam has a fast-growing economy, and the potential for further growth. Important urban centres in Assam include Guwahati, Silchar and Dibrugarh, that are densely populated. The state is rich in petroleum and natural gas deposits, and other minerals such as coal and limestone. Other major economic activities of the state include tourism, agriculture, and oil and tea production. Assam has the largest railway network in the north-east region, with about 2435 km of railway lines2 connecting it to the rest of the country, and providing access to other north-eastern states. Despite being the most connected state in the north-east in terms of the railway network, railway operations in Assam account for the highest impacts on biodiversity in terms of elephant mortality. The vast railway network often intersects wildlife habitats, and movement pathways of wild elephants that occur outside the purview of protected areas. Consequently, train hits account for the second-highest cause of non-natural elephant mortality in the state.