Will prevent animals getting run down by trains: Javadekar

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday asserted his ministry will ensure animals don't get hurt in the wake of incidences of elephants being mowed down by speeding trains in West Bengal and Assam.

"We have initiated a kind of process by which accidents have been reduced to a large extent (in Assam). As for the West Bengal issue, the issue is being studied and whatever remedies need to be adopted, shall be taken up. We will ensure animals don't hurt. We will ensure smooth traffic and avoid accidents," he said here.

Quizzed on the issue of the reported increase in elephant population in Bengal and the exacerbating human-animal conflicts due to wild elephants and ways to control, he said a study will be carried out by experts and their recommendations will be taken into account to deal with the issue.

West Bengal is awaiting the central government's nod to catch wild elephants (but not kill them) in the wake of deaths of 108 people in the state last year due to rampaging pachyderms.

--IANS

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