Train runs over tiger in UP

07 September, 2008 06:58:18
By Amita Verma

Lucknow

Sept. 7: The mutilated body of a male tiger was found on the Mailani-Gonda rail track on Saturday between Tikunia and Bichhia which falls between Katarniaghat and North Kheri forest divisions of UP’s Protected Area (PA).

The body had been almost torn apart and the pugmarks indicated that the animal had walked up to the railway track.

Senior forest officials who reached the spot late on Saturday were trying to ascertain whether the train had crossed the mandatory speed limit of 30 km per hour in the protected area.

“Strict action will be initiated against the train driver in case it is found that he erred. The body has been dragged along 600 to 700 metres as it was probably caught between the wheels,” said Mr Uma Shankar Singh, field director of Dudhwa.

Local people however say that majority of the train drivers do not stick to the speed limit and run the trains at a speed of 70 km per hour

The officials have picked up bloodstains, body hair and flesh-pieces of the dead animal stuck onto the track for further examination.

The 60-km railway track that runs across Katarniaghat and North Kheri forests has proved to be the killing ground for four tigers in the past three years.

Officials, however, are not in favour of shifting the railway track out since this will reduce access to the protected area and may lead to a spurt in poaching.

Besides, the railway track is essential for movement of security forces since the area is on the UP-Nepal border.

Ms Ashima Singh, divisional railway manager (DRM), North Eastern Railway (NER) said that the railways had sent a suggestion to the forest department to install flickering lights along the tracks to deter animals form approaching it but there has been no response as yet to the proposal.

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