In a heartening gesture recognising human-wildlife coexistence, officials from the Chakradharpur railway division were publicly honoured this week for their critical role in safeguarding migrating elephants.
Ceremony Recognises Proactive Conservation
The felicitation ceremony was organised by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and took place on Wednesday at the division headquarters' meeting hall in Jamshedpur. The event acknowledged the railway authorities' swift and decisive actions taken between October 31 and November 1 this year.
Strategic Halts for Safe Passage
The core action that earned accolades was the halting of 12 long-distance trains on the busy Howrah-Mumbai route. These operational pauses on both up and down lines were executed to provide a safe and undisturbed crossing for a large herd of 22 elephants. The jumbos were stationed near the railway tracks between Birsa and D cabin, a location situated on the sensitive Jharkhand-Odisha border.
This was not an isolated incident. The divisional railway management has previously halted train movements on several other occasions to prevent accidents and ensure elephants can cross the tracks without harm. This demonstrates an institutional commitment to wildlife protection beyond a one-off event.
Leadership and Future Implications
Tarun Huria, the Divisional Railway Manager of Chakradharpur, was present to receive the honour. His leadership underscores the railway department's growing sensitivity towards ecological concerns and its integration into operational planning.
Such initiatives are vital in forested regions like Kolhan, where railway lines often cut through traditional elephant corridors. The proactive steps by the Chakradharpur division set a positive precedent for other divisions across the country, balancing crucial transport logistics with urgent conservation needs.
