Watch Tower coming up to prevent death of elephants by trains

A tall watch tower is being erected by the forest department near the railway track between Humma and Rambha to prevent death of elephants in train accidents in Ganjam district.
Forest staff would also be deployed there to keep an eye on the movement of elephants, a senior officials said.
"We have constructed a watch tower at Satrusol village with an investment of around Rs 8 lakh. The forest staff will keep a tab on the movement of elephants and inform railway officials of Khurda road division. Trains will slow down once they enter the area, if elephants are found," said Divisional Forest Officer (Berhampur) Asish Kumar Behera.

Besides, solar fencing would be taken up for 3-km on one side of the railway track to prevent the elephants from crossing the track, he said.
The DFO added that at a recent meeting of forest and railway officials, a decision to share information about the movement of elephants on a daily basis was taken. The elephants migrate from Chandaka elephant reserve to the area.
It was also decided that vegetation on the sides of railway tracks would be cleaned and signage boards erected to warn drivers about the possibility of the presence of elephants ahead.