1

Man –Elephant Conflicts in North Bengal

Kalyan Das

Conservator of Forests

Wildlife (Headquarters) West Bengal

ABSTRACT

One of the most important issues in wildlife management is Man-Animal conflict. Over last two

decades, the problem has only intensified because of growing population, development

activities, both privately and publicly run. Often these development activities lack

interdepartmental co-ordination or advanced planning. Environmental Impact Assesment are

often not carried out or implemented effectively.

`West Bengal, owing to its strategic geographical location in terms of biodiversity, acts

as inter- state and inter-country elephant corridors at several points, both at south Bengal and at

North Bengal. The present report emphasises upon Man-Elephant Conflict in North West

Bengal (primarily Duars-Terai) which is being experienced with increased intensity due to

several development activities which are being implemented with little consideration for the

region’s legacy as a richly bio-diverse zone. The conflict is most starkly manifest in the

accidental death of 44 elephants upon collision with trains since 2004. The situation is grim as

of now since over the years, the pathetic deaths of so many elephants have brought forward a

newer and more severe dimension of man-elephant conflict. The severity transcends the nature

of mere Man-elephant conflict, the conflict is between technology/development (which

multiplies the potential of man as destroyer of natural order manifold) and elephants in more

immediate sense. Apart from the role of Railways, the report also looks into other factors which

lead to long-run loss of habitat for elephants, for example, indiscreet dolomite extraction for

cement manufacturing at the border between West Bengal and Bhutan i.e. at the foothills of

Bhutan; chequered pattern of land distribution in the region where tea gardens, human

settlements and forests are intermeshed with each other. The Duars Tea Gardens often lead to

unorganised settlement of unregistered labourers due to lack of management and also these

labourers are often heavily dependent upon the forests and other natural resources since they are

often meagrely paid. Also, since 2005, the Duars Tea Industry have faced severe crisis whereby

some Tea Gardens were abandoned or locked up almost overnight. The surrounding Natural

habitat has only faced increased human pressure owing to the mismanagement of these gardens.

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Key Words :–Human Elephant Conflict (HEC), Tea Estates (T.E), North Bengal (N.B.),

Railways (Rly.), Track, Habitat, Mitigation, Duars, Terai, Protected Area (PA).

INTRODUCTION

Man-Animal Conflict has over the years become a major concern for wildlife management in

South West Bengal and North Bengal – Duars and Terai region.

During 2011-12, in West Bengal, a compensation of Rs 3.20 Crs. had to be paid against 71

human casualties, 317 injuries, 311 death of cattle or cattle lifting, damage of 4283 huts & crop

damage over 5285 hectare. The Conflicts (Table No.1) between Human and Elephant, Tiger,

Leopard, Monkeys, Gaur, Wild Boar, Crocodile, Rhino etc. have become a regular feature.

PERSON KILLED BY WILD ANIMAL (IN W.B.):-

Table No. 1

Year Elephant Tiger Leopard Rhino Gaur Crocodile

2002-2003 74 15 - - 1 1

2003-2004 67 9 1 2 1 4

2004-2005 72 4 - - - 2

2005-2006 85 2 - 1 - 2

2006-2007 64 - - - - 2

2007-2008 70 9 3 - - 1

2008-2009 67 6 1 1 - 1

2009-2010 87 7 3 - 4 -

2010-2011 96 6 1 - 2 -

2011-2012 67 3 - - 1 -

The northern districts of West Bengal provide a suitable habitat for elephants in the region

extending from the Sankosh river in the east to the Mechi

river in the west. North Bengal houses a great assemblage of

biological resources in the protected and reserved forests

lying at the Himalayan foothills. These forests in North

Bengal and adjoining territory in Eastern Nepal, Sikkim,

Western Bhutan and Assam display a rich biodiversity in its

diverse ecosystems. This has been possible because of this

region’s location at the confluence of several bio-geographic

realms, e.g. Mediterranean, Ethiopian, Indo- Malayan, Sino- Japanese, Palaearctic and

Oriental. Presence of animals likes Tiger, Elephants, One-horned Rhino etc. and existence of

trans- boundary corridors for gene flow have enhanced the global significance of this tract for

conservation.

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However, human population and its growing demands for land and biological resources

affected this landscape to a great extent. Fragmentation of habitat has primarily occurred as

a result of infrastructure development, widening of road, conversion of railway line to

broad gauge including heavy traffic, river training works through large scale construction

of embankments, deposition of dolomite in rivers in the foothills bordering Bhutan and

particle containing dolomite in the flowing river coming from Bhutan hills. Tea plantations

have taken heavy toll on adjoining grasslands and also the industry has produced huge amount

of unplanned human settlements. All these factors led to an increased level of human-animal

conflict.

West Bengal At a Glance

Geographical Area 88,752 sq.km.

Total recorded forest 11,879 sq.km i.e. 13.38% of geographical area of state

Reserved Forest 7,054 sq.km.

Protected Forest 3,772 sq.km.

Unclassed State Forest 1,053 sq.km.

Forest cover outside the recorded forest area is 15.52%

Vegetation cover is 27% which includes village orchards/groves, tea gardens and

horticulture plantations)

The elephant habitat in West Bengal extends over 4200 sq km.

West Bengal has two Elephant Reserves: Eastern Duars ER and Mayurjharna ER

• About 650 elephants occur in West Bengal over two distinct regions:

a) North Bengal (Jalpaiguri & Darjeeling) : 529

b) South Bengal (West Midnapur, Bankura & Purulia) : 118

• West Bengal also receives seasonal visits of other small groups of elephants from

Assam/Jharkhand/Oriss in addition to above.

Elephant Reserves in West Bengal

As per notification dated August, 2002, Eastern Duars ER

covers 977.51 sq.km comprising of 484.00 sq.km of Core

Area and 493.51 sq.km of Buffer Area. 115.00 sq.km of the

Core Area falls in Jaldapara and the balance area of 369.00

sq.km is within BTR (Buxa Tiger Reserve).

Notified in October 2002, Mayurjharna ER, covers an area

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of 414 Sq. Km. consisting of 196.06 sq.km of West Midnapore Division; 126.50 sq.km of

Kangsabati (South) division (in Purulia Dist) and 91.50 sq.km of Bankura (South) Division.

The State of West Bengal harbours approx 2%, out of the total wild population of nearly

27,000 elephants that have been estimated in India. Being small, this population is well known

for its conflict dimensions. On an average, annually, 75 people become victim of elephant

trampling. The crop compensations on account of the depredation by elephants, and anti-

depredation activities to keep elephants away from the crop fields causes heavy drain of the

State exchequer.

Focus:- Elephant (Elephas maximus) is a keystone species in the Asian Tropical Forest. It can

act as an flagship animal for conserving biodiversity. Asia’s largest Vertebrate requires living

space, food, water and the search for these often conflicts with human aspirations & needs. The

Govt. of India has notified the magnificent animal as the National Heritage Animal. E8 Meet

was held on 24.05.2011 in New Delhi to chart a 50 years global vision for saving Pachyderms.

The present report emphasises Man-elephant conflict

particularly in North Bengal with special reference to

developmental activities by Rail within elephant habitat

& normal zone of elephant movement leading to loss of

elephant besides other conflict issues whereby local people

are affected through loss of human lives, crops, huts etc.

Fragmentation of available habitats has confined most of the

populations to habitat islands. Development programmes in and around areas of elephant habitat

implies encroachment of habitat; also, settlement over the corridors lead to loss of traditional

passage ways of elephants. All of these have contributed to increased H.E.C. (Human-Elephant

Conflict), which often results in loss of both human & elephant lives and property.

West Bengal is the 2nd

highest in death of elephants caused by development activities in

railway sector i.e., about 28% of Total death of elephants recorded in India caused due to

collision with the rail.

LOCATION OF THE STUDY

The study area is situated between 26°30'N to 27°0'N and 88°'E - 90°'E. Elephant range in

north West Bengal falls in two civil districts –(i) Darjeeling (3 Civil blocks out of 12 Civil

blocks ) and ( ii) Jalpaiguri (11Civil blocks out of 13 Civil blocks). Both these districts together

encompass a geographical area of 9376 sq. km. However, elephant range is confined to 1/3rd of

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this 9376 sq.km. The area is bounded by international boundaries i.e. with Bhutan in the north-

east, and on west with Nepal. The eastern and southern boundaries are bordered by the State of

Assam and CoochBehar district in West Bengal respectively.

Northern West Bengal (JPG+DRJ) has a forest area of 2994 km2 or about 25% of the

total geographical area of forests of the state. However, the elephant habitat is confined only to

about 2200 km2

in three

distinct zones viz (a) The Terai

stretch between the Mechi River and the Teesta River

comprising the forest areas under Kurseong Division,

Wildlife Division I (Mahananda WLS) (b) The Western

Duars stretch between the Teesta river and the Torsa river

comprising Apalchand Range of Baikunthapur Division;

Jalpaiguri Division, Wildlife Division II (including Garumara

N.P & Chapramari WLS); Kalimpong Division & Wildlife Division III (including Western Part

of Jaldapara WLS). (c) The Eastern Duars stretches between the Torsa & the Sankosh River

bordering Assam & Bhutan and the forests of Wildlife Division III (Eastern part of Jaldapara

WLS and Buxa Tiger Reserve). Affected areas fall under civil Blocks Kumargram. Alipurduar-

1. Kalchini, Madarihat-Birpara, Falakata, Dhupguri, Mainaguri, Nagrakata, Mal, Meteli &

Rajganj(Jalpaiguri), Naxalbari, Mirik & Garubathan (Darjeeling).

The elephant range constitutes flat, slightly undulating to hilly areas to an elevation

1,750 m, with numerous rivers and hill streams running from North to South. The average

annual rainfall is 3,498 mm with temperature between minimum 8⁰C and maximum 32⁰ C.

Out of an estimated elephant range of 2,687 km2 in Northern West Bangal , 34 % area

constitutes forests, 22% area as tea garden, 17% area is agriculture land and the balance

comprises area of human habitation, Water and sands. According to the 2011 census,

average human density is 611 persons/km2 in Duars & Terai region.

There are 6 Protected Areas, 5 of them fall in Jalpaiguri District alone. All of these are

small and constitute roughly 28% of the elephant range. Range expansions of elephant during

two crop season (Paddy and Maize) are the major reasons of conflict (HEC) due to their

movements through tea gardens and crop fields.

MAJOR FAUNA:- Elephant(529),Tiger(20),Leopard(>200),Gaur(>901),Rhino(192+), Sambar,

Hog deer, Barking deer, Spotted deer etc.

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MATERIAL :-

Around 529 elephants (2010 estimation) spread across the civil districts of Darjealing &

Jalpaiguri This region is characterised by extraordinary high human-elephant conflict. Human

habitation & tea gardens interspersed with forests through which regular elephant movement

occurs. I have tried to compile the report on the basis of present status and field based reports

sourced from different offices, interactions and observations in consultation with experts and

available literature on the matter.

METHODS :-

In preparing this write-up, I have drawn mainly from my First-hand field experience. I

had the opportunity of serving at Wildlife III Division ( the erstwhile Coochbeher Divison as

D.F.O.) since 2001 to 2005.

My tenure (March,2006 to June, 2012) as D.F.O at Jalpaiguri Division (Duars) coincides

with the period of extensive developmental activities undertaken by the Railways. Visited

dolomite extraction areas as an Indian delegate under the leadership of Divisional

Commissioner, Jalpaiguri and CCF/North Bengal in connection with Environment and forests. I

also worked in BTR out of which I had gathered information and knowledge of radio-collaring

and tracking in the Eastern part of North Bengal during 1994-1996.

I have utilised my Field Observation and Interaction with specialised individual or

groups, General Public, Villagers, Local Bodies and Staff. A considerable review of literature

has been done.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION :-

The Northern Elephant Range

The northern elephant range in West Bengal extends from Mechi river along Indo-Nepal

border in the west to the Sankosh river in the east bordering the State of Assam. Elephants

residing in this stretch of land represent western most entity of the discontinuously distributed

north-eastern elephant population - the one among the five identified in India (Daniel, 1980).

This elephant range is surrounded by three international boundaries, as mentioned earlier

- Nepal on the west, Bhutan on the north, and Bangladesh in the south. Landscape contiguity

through forest cover exists between Nepal, Bhutan and India. Besides this, two other Indian

States - Sikkim and Assam bound this elephant range on the north and eastern sides respectively.

Regular elephant movement in this region have been recorded at an altitude of 3000

feet. Annual Report of Forest Department 1940-41 reports movement of elephant to Rechila, at

an altitude of 10,000 feet, and further into Bhutan.

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From the biogeographical stand point, the entire northern elephant range comprises of

two major biotic provinces - the Siwalik/ Bhabar and lower Gangetic plains. According to Mani

(1974), at a short distance of 80 km, opposite the basins of the river Teesta and river Raidak, the

Siwalik range lies with remarkable uniformity infront of Himalaya throughout its length. The

lower-Gangetic plain in north West Bengal, that separates the Peninsula from Himalayas

through a belt of Siwaliks in between, is referred as submontane Terai or Duars (Main, 1974).

Infact, the name Duars (literally `doors') is derived from the passes leading into the lesser

Himalayas

Status, Distribution and Movement of Elephants

The first systematic survey was undertaken in the year 1975 to record status, distribution,

movement and conflicts of elephants in northern range of West Bengal. This work was initiated

after formation of North-East India Task Force under the aegis of Asian Elephant Specialist

Group. The State wise report (Lahiri Choudhury, 1980) indicated presence of three separate

elephant populations in North Bengal: (a) West of Torsa (b) East of Torsa and, (c) One

seasonally transient from Assam. The 1978 estimates for these three populations of elephant

were recorded as: 80, 60, & 10 respectively, totalling 150 elephants in North Bengal (Lahiri

Choudhury, 1980). He further accounted that the west of Torsa population as most seriously

threatened because of its habitat fragmentation and pocketed populations.

The report of Lahiri Choudhury (1980) also provided a set of recommendations for controlling

crop depredation by elephants by `anchored mela shikar' method and declaring Buxa forests as

Tiger Reserve and further linking it up with Manas Tiger Reserve, Assam on the east and

Jaldapara Sanctuary, West Bengal on the west.

`The Wildlife Wing of West Bengal Forest Department undertook three elephant

censuses in North Bengal in April 1986, February 1989 and February/March 1992, which

provided total figures of elephants in North Bengal 140, 173 and 186 respectively (Barua & Bist,

1996). Among the three censuses, the one carried out in the year 1992 was quite comprehensive

in terms of identifying the population in different size and sex classes. Dey (1991) reported a

figure of 152 elephants during 1986 census which was carried out during a different time period

as of Wildlife Wing (Table No. 2). The features which were important to note were decrease in

elephant populations till 1986 over the very first estimate of 1978 carried by North-East India

Task Force (Lahiri Choudhury, 1980). The marked distinction of lowering in elephant

populations during the concurrent years might be associated with the several eliminations of

rogues and mela shikar practices for capturing elephants to control the crop depredation. No

further capture of elephants were undertaken beyond the year 1981. The building of elephant

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population at a rate of 8% per year since 1986 to 1992 is a testimony of progressive increase

without elimination.

Table No. 2

Year No. of Elephants

1992 186

1996 230-250

2002 328

2007 300-350

2010 529

Taking mortality factor into account, the population growth rate should be around 6.9%

per annum in North Bengal elephant. Projecting this growth rate on 1992 census figure (186

elephants) ,which was quite comprehensively done by West Bengal Forest Department, the

population in 1996-97 should be around 250 elephants. This was further corroborated with a

rapid counting undertaken during November 1996 when elephants congregated for crop raiding.

The population structure in North Bengal suggests that the family herds containing 6-

26% of males, whereas 8-18% males remained in dissociation or in all male groups. The sex

ratios in adult segment is remarkably skewed towards males (1:0.65).

The bimodal peaks of mean monthly herd size reflected the influence periods with

the rabi and kharif cropping when elephant congregates to make larger herds. The average

group size of a family unit was 14.26 ± 17.72 elephants whereas, for all male.

State Government to provide assistance and to compensate for the losses, the number of

which are increasing day by day, had issued G.Os, latest rate of which is given in Table No. 3

along with compensation paid in the state (Table No. 4) w.e.f. 2008-09 to 2012-13.

PRESENT RATE OF COMPENSATION AND EX-GRATIA:-

Table No. 3

Category Rate of Compensation / Ex-gratia

Person Killed by Wild Animal Rs.1,00.000/-

Person injured by Wild Animal Free medical treatment in Govt. Hospital

Person against permanent disability Rs.50,000/-

Person against loss of single limb Rs. 7,500/- + free

medical treatment in Govt. Hospital

Damage to crops by wild animals Rs 7500/- per ha

Damage to live- stock by wild animals Rs.100/-to Rs.700/-

Subject to actual quantum of loss

Damage to huts / Bldg. caused by wild

animals

Total damage for kuchha house=3,000/-

Partial damage for kuchha house=1,500

Damage of semi permanent house

(G.I. sheet or Tali roof) Upto Rs. 5,000/-

Damage of permanent house with RCC roof Upto Rs. 10,000/-

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COMPENSATION PAID FOR ANIMAL DEPREDATION IN WEST BENGAL :-

Table No. 4

YEAR

PERSON

INJURED

COMP PAID FOR

HUMAN

DEATH/INJURY

CROP

DAMAGE

(HA.)

COMP PAID

FOR CROP

DAMAGE

HUT

DAMAGE

(NO.)

COMP PAID

FOR HUT

DAMAGE

LIVESTOCK

KILLED (NO.)

COMP PAID

FOR

LIVESTOCK

KILLED

TOTAL

2008-09 273 7769983.91 3358.23 14313615.35 4259 3765192.00 296 117330.00 25966121.26

2009-10 359 9519518.18 3546.20 14960553.00 3491 4446072.00 244 150400.00 29076543.18

2010-11 422 12652620.00 4830.54 24851886.00 4566 5698563.00 409 261913.00 43464982.00

2011-12 317 6701908.00 5284.95 21443507.00 4283 4592558.00 311 240350.00 31969425.00

2012-13 127 3244433.00 4478.37 24648371.00 1797 1514137.00 45 20050.00 29426991.00

HUMAN DEATH IN NORTH BENGAL :-

Extent of Conflict in North Bengal

Table No. 5

year

Human

casualty

(No)

Person

injured

(No)

Comp. Paid

(Rs.).

Livestock

killed (No)

Comp. Paid

(Rs.)

Hut

damaged

(No)

Comp. Paid

(Rs.)

Corp

damage

(Ha.)

Comp paid

(Rs.)

2010-11 56 341 7230324.00 379 255913.00 3207 3981995.00 1342.176 6278385.00

2011-12 45 128 2979239.00 295 239450.00 2667 2907200.00 2563.92 6373640.00

(Source:- Data Bank, Wildlife Wing, W.B.)

Pattern of Land Distribution

After forests, the major landuse in both districts of Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling is

agriculture. As the terai has ample water supply, agriculture is better developed in this tract.

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Approximately, 47% and 9% land areas of Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling are under crop cultivation,

respectively.

The extent of arable land under various crop categories are rice (90.4%), wheat (4.76%),

maize (1.31%), other cereal (1.28%), pulses (0.99%), oil seeds (4.04%), jute> Corchorus

Olitorius (14.55%) and other miscellaneous cash crops including vegetables (5.23%)

(Chakrabarti, 1993). Crop production pattern and productivity comparatively low as most of the

people still use traditional variety of seed.

The next major land use in North Bengal is Tea cultivation which occupies 12.68% and

around 18% of total land areas in Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts, respectively. Major

elephant movements take place through the tea gardens. Almost 90% Tea gardens of

Jalpaiguri & 30% of Darjeeling are within the zone of conflict. The tree stands in tea

garden provides cover and some amount of fodders to the elephants. Haphazard labour

line distribution and their activities for crop cultivation and brewing rice alcohol are the

major problems for man-elephant conflict in North Bengal. An information regarding

payment of exgratia/compensation along with Human casualties, injuries and other damages for

the years 2010-11 and 2011-12 can be obtained from Table No. 5. Of late, It is noticed that

small/marginal farmers are converting their Agri-fields for the purpose of Tea cultivation

around Garumara N.P., particularly in Ramsai area to avoid H.E. Conflict. This may cause

shortage of agricultural production in future and immediate wild surroundings may be affected

adversely due to application of strong chemical fertiliser/pesticides . But it is a fact that they are

earning a secured amount than previously due to decrease in damage suffered loss.

Indo-Nepal Trans-Boundary Elephant Migration Problem

There have been several incidents of elephants

getting injured or killed in Nepal. The elephants

often use the Mechi river corridor to enter Nepal

(Jhapa District) thought Kolabari-Tukriajhaer in

search of food. To prevent the animals from

foraging for food in their paddy fields, Nepal

villagers often attack the elephants. These

elephants return injured (Table No. 6) and carry out rampages in India. Affected areas are

Lohagar, Kolabari, Naxalbari under Panighata Range ( Civil block- Mirik), Tukriajhar Range

(Civil block Naxalbari). A herd of 130-140 elephants devided into smaller groups and use to

roam the areas.

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Elephant deaths in trans-boundary conflict due to gun-

shot or injury

Table No. 6

Year Numbers

2007 2

2008 2

2009 1

2010 2

2011 1

The number of humans killed by the elephants in and around Wildlife-I and Kurseong Divisions

was 84 during 2003-2010. Up to 2010, 26 people were also reportedly killed in Bahundangi by

elephants.

Four elephant-corridors cutting across the international border, associated with

India, Nepal, and Bhutan are also identified – (a) Nepal-Panighata, (b) Titi-

Bhutan(occasionally Bandapani-Bhutan) (c) Bhutanghat (India)-Bhutan and Sankosh (Assam)-

Bhutan. Of these corridors, the western Nepal-Painghata exposes a fragmented and densely

populated ecological extension and has earned the reputation of the most critical problem area

during the 21st century. Since the Bhutan corridors are not so fragmented or densely populated,

no such intense conflict has been recorded in this northern ecological extension.

Passages between Protected Areas or Forests.

Elephants being animals with wide range of

movement have biological requirement of migration from

one forest to another. This process has been carried out for

hundreds of years through tracks passed down the

generations through hereditary system or through

socialisation. However, fragmentation of these time-tested

corridors took place after establishment of Tea Estates, Forest

villages, and other human settlements, commercial harvesting of wood by East India Company

during mid 1800s to 1918s and when post independence, large scale human settlements took

place due to heavy inflow of Refugees form adjacent countries.

Main Elephant Corridors in North Bengal are,

(a) Mahananda – Kolabari (Wildlife -I and Kurseong Divisions )

(b) Apalchand – Mahananda (Baikunthapur and Wildlife-I Divisions)

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(c) Apalchand – Garumara-Lower Tondu (Baikunthapur and Wildlife-II Divisions)

(d) Apalchand – Kalimpong Via Targhera, Chel, Damdim/Sylee TE (Baikunthapur and

Kalimpong Divisions )

(e) Apalchand – Bhuttabari via Meenglass TE ( Baikunthapur and Kalimpong Divisions )

(f) Chapramari – Bhuttabari (Wildlife-II and Kalimpong Divisions )

(g) Rethi – Central Diana ( Within Jalpaiguri Division)

(h) Rethi – Moraghat (via Banarhat) ( Within Jalpaiguri Division)

(i) Dumchi – Rethi (Wildlife-III and Jalpaiguri Divisions )

(j) Titi – Dumchi (Within Wildlife-III Division)

(k) Buxa – Titi via Torsa/Rangamati (BTR and Wildlife –III Divisions )

(l) Buxa – Titi via Beech/Barnabari TE (BTR and Wildlife –III Divisions )

(m) Nimati – Chilapata (BTR and Wildlife –III Divisions )

(n) Buxa – Ripu viaSankosh ( Bengal and Assam)

EFFECT OF RAIL & ROAD :–

The physical presence of the roads & rails and their widening/conversion in the habitat

creates habitat edges, alters the hydrological dynamics and create a barrier to the movement of

elephants & other animals leads to habitat fragmentation and loss, apart from death due to

collision with speeding train & vehicle.

Report on increasing elephant casualty due to collision with train in North Bengal railway tracks

Siliguri is connected by railways to Alipurduar by two separate lines, one of which

(Siliguri Jn. to Alipurduar Jn.) stretches over 168 k.m. and traverses forest over 74 k.m. i.e.

about 44% of the length. The rail line passes through 3 PAs and buffer of BTR including 9

sensitive established elephant movement routes and reserved forests. (This BG line was

inaugurated on 20th

Nov. of 2003.)

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Predominant among which are 1) Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, 2) forests of

Kalimpong Forest Division, 3) forest tracts of Tondu (Chalsa) between Chapramari Wildlife

Sanctuary and Gorumara National Park, 4) Diana reserve forest under Jalpaiguri Division

including Moraghat and Bannarhat area,(Rethi –Moraghat corridor) 5) Jaldapara Wildlife and 6)

Buxa Tiger Reserve. The two separate sectors are (1) through the forest and (2) other track

passing outside the forest area through Falakata (map below).

The red line is as broad gauge converted track, over which most accidents occur and the

black line is the tract passing outside the forests which is much safer for wildlife, specially

elephants. It has been pointed out by the Railway authorities that the traffic has increased many-

folds in the last 10 years. It was revealed that 8 pairs of passenger trains and 3-5 pairs of goods

trains passes through the forested tract under reference. The permissible speed in both the tracts

are 100 KM per hour.

In the past, elephant casualty for accidental death on meter gauge line was not very

frequent, a chart (Table No. 7) of elephant death by accident has been placed below from which

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it appears that death between 1974-2002 was only 27, whereas the number of deaths after

conversion to broad gauge is 44 since 2004.

Number of Elephant Death before and after Broad Gauge Conversion in North Bengal

Table No. 7

Location in North

Bengal Number of Elephant Death

Before BG

Conversion After BG Conversion

BTR 2 12

Jaldapara 3 2

Madarihat 3

Banarhat 13 (8+5)

Nr. Rahimpur TG 1

Nr. Red Bank TG 3

Singimari 1

Chapramari 9 1

Mongpong 3 1

Diana 1

Mahananda 9 6

Bagrakot 1

Total 27 44 ( Upto May 20013)

Here, in N.B., Rail alone has caused the death of 71 elephants despite its status as an

endangered species under the provision of schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (As

per record available form 1974).

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From the above analysis it is indicative that major part of the accident is

happening during

the 3 months of

paddy and maize

crop season periods,

(Sept.– Dec.), and

(June to Aug.) in

northern track and

major part of these accidents are taking place on crossings (Table No. 8) where paddy fields are

in close proximity to forests and elephant corridors. Based on the above analysis, vulnerable

and high risk zones were studied by a team of specialists of WWF under the State Director,

WWF India, West Bengal State Office and these high risk (Table No. 8) zones are:

Table No. 8

Corridor Railway stations KM posts Length KM Remarks

Through Mahananda

wildlife Sanctuary

Mahanada Bridge

No. 29 to Gulma

Khola bridge No. 35

to Teesta River

Bridge

16/9 to 17/0 to 21/4-

5 to 28/3 16/9 to 17/0 to 21/4-

5 to 28/3 Within PA

Mongpong Forest of

Chel Range to

Mahandada Wildlife

Sanctuary & Apalchand

Forest of Baikunthapur

Division

Below Mongpong

RH & Oodlabari RS

30/8 to 31/1

10.3 Outside PA 31/7 to 31/8

33/2 to 33/6

Bhuttabari Forest of

Noam Range & Neora

Range of Kalimpong

Division to Apalchand

Forest of Baikunthapur

Division

Between Bagrakote

RS & Oodlabri RS 41/5 to 42/1 4.28

Outside PA Between Oodlabri

RS to Damdin RS

46/3 to 46/4 4.08

46/6 to 46/12

Between Damdin RS

& New Mal Jn. 50/3 to 51/6 5.05

Bhutan to Sulkapara

Forest of Jalpaiguri

Division

Between Nagrakata

RS & Carron RS 80/3 to 80/4 3.20 Within PA

Bhutan to Sulkapara

Forest of Jalpaiguri

Division; Rethi

Bandapani Forest to

Sulkapara Forest &

Khutimari Forest of

Jalpaiguri Division

Between Chengmari

RS & Banarhat JN.

83/7 to 83/8

11.0

Outside PA

84/5 to 84/6

89/5 to 89/7

91/8 to 92/1

Between Banarhat

JN. & Binnaguri RS 95/1 to 95/3 6.0

17

Based on the above study and feedback from the field officers, 9 points (Table No. 9) have been

selected as high risks/ vulnerable zones, where major accidents occurs in a range of 3 – 5

kilometers of the locality.

Table No. 9

Effects of the Rivers and their Fluvial Systems

Main Rivers :- Teesta,Torsa, Raidak, Jainti, Phaskhowa, Diana, Basra , Dima, Bala, Lish,

Murti, Jaldhaka, Torsa, etc.

One of the most important direct losses of Jalpaiguri’s rich forest is caused by the

unscientific and illegal mining activities in the Sub-Himalayan areas of this region, West Bengal

and adjacent Bhutan. Good forest lands have been greatly destroyed either by bank failure

or by shifting river courses or due to elevation of river beds. An excessively high amount of

dolomitic dust {Dolomite is a carbonate mineral of calcium magnesium carbonate

CaMg(CO3)2} transported by air and river water accumulates on the forest floor, and

leads to a rise in the pH value of the soil. Alkalinity of the soil hinders the availability of

phosphate to the plants. Non-availability of phosphate along with alkalinity is found to be

responsible for dying of valuable plant species. In a study conducted by Prof. Subir Sarkar,

Department of Geography and Applied Geography, North Bengal University, it appears that 850

ha. of good forest land was destroyed between 1993-99 as a result of which wild habitat

including vegetation, soil, natural licks at the foothills is diminishing and river water is

getting polluted. These factors are compelling the elephants to move farther down south ,

leading to highly frequent HEC. Reportedly, elephants often enter Coochbehar district

frequently and even Bangladesh.

SL. No. Location Tentative Railway

KM Post

Total

Distance

1. Gulma-Sevoke 16/5 to 24/4 7.9 Km.

2. Sevoke – Bagrakote Railway Station 29/7 to 33/9 4.2 Km

3. Damdim Railway Station – New Mal Jn. 50/3 to 51/6 1.3 Km

4. Chapramari rail gate to Jaldhaka river 68-71 3.0 Km

5. Chengmari Railway Station – Banarhat Jn. 86/2 to 86/8 0.6 Km

6. Banarhat - Binnaguri 95/1 to 96/6 1.5 Km

7. Binnaguri Railway Station – Dalgaon Railway

Station 103/3 to 103/8 0.5 Km

8. Madarihat-Hashimara 128/3 – 130/7 2.4 Km

9. Dima railway gate to Damanpur, Buxa Tiger

Reserve 157-163 6 Km

18

The wide river bed at Bandapani remains almost perennially dry

because of deposition of dolomite due to mining for cement

manufacturing unit.

CONCLUSION

From east to West there are 6 protected areas, while 5 of them fall in Jalpaiguri district

and only one on Western side fall in Darjeeling District.

On the extreme eastern side Buxa Tiger Reserve is the largest protected area and

specially created for the conservation of tiger and its ecosystem. This protected area has an area

of 117 sq.km as National Park and around 250 sq.km as Wildlife Sanctuary. Further, an area of

390 sq.km act as buffer for controlled forestry and human activities. Towards West of Buxa

located is Jaldapara with an area of 216 sq.km. The focal animal for conservation here is the

Rhinoceros. Further west located are three protected areas: the Gorumara, Chapramari and

Neora Valley Complex which have their area contiguous with each other. Gorumara and Neora

Valley are having status of National Park with an area of 80 sq.km and 88 sq. km respectively.

Chapramari is a small Wildlife Sanctuary with an area of 10 sq. km linking Gorumara and Neora

Valley in between. Elephants only utilizes the lower reaches of Neora Valley National Park. The

Western most protected area is the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary falling in Darjeeling district

with an area of roughly 130sq.km. Therefore, in all 1281 sq.km area falls under Protected Area

coverage for elephants in North Bengal. Balance area falls under entire Jalpaiguri &

Baikunthapur Divisions, part of Kalimgpong & Kurseong Divisions where conflicts are more

severe.

Conflict is inevitable so we have to minimize through adaptation for co-existence.

Keeping in mind the current status of protected areas, the following strategies may be

adopted in order to better harness the potential for conservation activities and most importantly

to mitigate conflict to an extent:-

19

A. CONFLICT MANAGEMENT (HEC) :-

ELEPHANT SQUADS OR QUICK ACTION FORCE

WITH VEHICLES, MODERN EQUIPMENTS & SUFFICIENT STAFF & DRIVING

GROUPS INVOLVING JFMCs & Tea Estates to be assured.

KUNKI SQUADS - CHASE WITHOUT CAPTURE

POWER FENCING – It is desirable that the electric fences

constructed for deterring elephants need to have a

species-specific fence design, required voltage of

current flow for shocking and quality of regular

maintenance. It is imperative to keep a fence line in

working order with requisite producing voltage,

because at time elephants are testing them. Testing

of energizer to be done through voltmeter between live (red)

and the earth (black) terminals. Finding the output 6000+ volts is good, otherwise fence line

and batteries need to be checked. In Northern West Bengal, use of standing trees in place of

post has been very effective and cost reducing.

IMMOBILISATION /TRANSLOCATION-

Sufficient drugs are required to be kept/stored in hand which is sometimes found

unavailable.

ELIMINATION OF ROGUES

PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA RELIEF/

COMPENSATION –Required prompt action to pacify wrathful public for which fund

should be made available at the disposal of D.F.O.

EPT (Elephant Proof Trench) – Creation of

EPT around village/crop field adjacent to elephant zone (presently there is a scope under

MGNREGS).

NATURAL CALAMITY – Hut damage

should be brought under the term where by district administration can also take action for

immediate supply of Relief.

USE OF SIGNAL FLAIRS, LONG

RANGING SEARCH LIGHT WITH FLASHER, CRACKERS, SIREN, GPS.

COORDINATION BETWEEN LOCAL

ADMINISTRATION, PANCHAYAT, TEA ASSOCIATIONS( DBITA, TAI, ITPA, TIPA

etc.).

20

ELEPHANT RESERVE- Presently ER has

no legal obligation. Not a single corridor has been notified as Eco-sensitive Zone or as a part

of elephant reserve. It should come under PA management with need based Management

Plan and legal protection to save the mega fauna.

HABITAT IMPROVEMENT –Good fodder

plantation and ponds should be created as much as possible in P.A.s. & R.F.s. construction

of C.C. water hole/tank at foothills of Duars (Northern part of central Jalpaiguri) is

needed.

CATTLE GRAZING – It should be

minimized as far as possible.

AWARENESS GENERATION.MEETINGS- Continious process.

ALTERNATIVE CROP CULTIVATION- Intensive Trial may be undertaken in

collaboration with NGOs & Krishi Kendra (KVK) to explore viability & sustainability, so

that farmers can accept the same.

LOW COST EARLY WARNING

SYSTEM- Viability to be explored. Technical

Assistance and support from NGOs may be

sought for.

CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSE ON

RCC PILLAR-In Jalpaiguri division more

than 200 Pacca huts have been constructed in 19 forest villages under Housing Scheme for

STs. This has a long term effect on Elephant zone. Works are in process in other divisions.

JFM SUPPORT ACTIVITIES (ECO-DEV WORKS) :- To develop the socio-

economic growth as well as to substantiate losses by other means.

B. BILATERAL DISCUSSION WITH NEPAL AND BHUTAN AND MITIGATION-THE

TRANS BOUNDARY ISSUES :-

1.For managing elephant population moving across the Indo-Nepal border, preparation and

implementations of joint action plan by the forest departments of West Bengal and Nepal is

essential. There is also need for better co ordinations among the forest officers of West Bengal

(DFOs/Wild Division I and Kurseong Divison) and DFO/Jhapa in Nepal to share information

about movement of elephant herds, existence of problem elephants and activities of elephant

poachers.

Trans- boundary meeting between Nepal and India at the local level with respect to HEC should

be carried out regularly, at least every month during the crop season. Radio-telemetry should be

21

used on a few elephants moving across the border for giving advance warning to the forest staff

and villagers. A special elephant squad, along with a trained and efficient managing group to deal

with may be stationed permanently at a convenient location nearer to the problem areas for

guiding the elephant herd back to the designated area. Help of SSB posted in the locality may

also be sought . Awareness programmes among the local farmers should also be arranged by the

forest departments of both Nepal and West Bengal, Local NGOs may volunteer to tackle HEC by

actively participating in such efforts of community participation as well as monitoring and

mitigation initiatives. WWF has already taken initiatives to mitigate the problems arising out of

trans boundary issues.

2. Joint Action Plan to restore degradation of Southern aspects of Bhutan Hills by minimizing

dolomite collection. Integrated approach for creation of intensive mixed plantations along the

foothills adjacent to North & Central Diana, Bandapani,

Kalapani, Lankapara, Titi, Jainti, Bhutanghat,Hatipota etc.

should immediately be initiated after reclamation of dolomite

affected soil. Besides, river training works must be

undertaken without further loss of the natural habitat.

Conservation of natural licks in the region has a vital role in

support of biodiversity conservation. Though bilateral

meetings are held regularly but monitoring of restoration works are to be given priority so that

further deterioration does not take place.

C. ACTION TO AVOID COLLISION WITH

RAIL :-

All the 9 vulnerable points will require elevated corridors with under passes for safe train

passage. The railway authorities had been requested to look into the feasibility of construction

of such elevated railway passage at these vulnerable points.

1) Vulnerable zone mitigation measures :-

It has been suggested to the railways that an elevated railway track with underpass below,

will have to the constructed in the high risk vulnerable zones. These points are 1) Gulma-

Sevoke, 2) Sevoke-Bagrakote Railway Station, 3) Damdim Railway Station-New Mal Jn., 4)

Chapramari rail gate to Jaldhaka river, 5) Chengmari Railway Station-Banarhat Stn., 6)

Banarhat-Binnaguri, 7) Binnaguri Railway Station-Dalgaon Railway Station, 8) Madarihat-

Hashimara, 9) Dima railway gate to Damanpur. These points will require very slow train

movement specially during the vulnerable period of the paddy & maize crop seasons.

22

Establishment of underpasses with funnelling patterns including ramps for the animal to

cross the railway track is urgently necessary.

2) Watch towers :-

Constructions of watch towers at Vulnerable points adjacent to Rly track. A proposal was

submitted to the Govt. of India for sanction of 10 watch towers at vulnerable points by the

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife & Chief Wildlife Warden, West Bengal.

Joint placement of forest and railway staff in the watch towers and joint patrolling in the

vulnerable railway tracts are also suggested so that necessary action can be taken.

3) The traffic on track passing through forests of North Bengal be rescheduled as such that

maximum trains passes during dawn to dusk. During night minimum trains should ply with

speed restrictions within corridors as well as forest tracts.

4) The doubling of Falakata track by Rail should be expedited.

5) For tracking elephant movement, locals as trackers can be engaged in forest areas and

stationed with high frequency Walki Talkies at make shift temporary towers – Machans as

per seasonal requirements. They would be trained and would have connectivity with Forest

Ranges which in turn would alert Rails Control / Concerned Stationed Master to alert about

the elephants movements. Co-ordinations and communication between N.F. Rly. And F.D.

to be maintained.

6) The trainings for refresher courses for sensitizing of Rail’s Loco drivers and concerned

traffic staff by Forest should continue on monthly basis.

7) Public awareness campaigns for keeping tracks clear from food articles and prevention of

growing of crops within Rail land and have to be taken up jointly for public as well as Rail/

IRCTC pantry staff etc.

8) Signage boards has to be provided on both sides of the Rail Track in identified locations to

alert and pre-warn the train drivers.

9) Clearance of Vegetation on the sides of Rail Track on regular basis for view clearance for

both Drivers as well as wild animals.

10) Habitat development programme :-

With the increase in the elephant population, the requirement of the herd have been

increased many-folds, whereas in 1980, the population of elephant in North Bengal was 150+ ,

23

the present population as per 2010 census is more than 550+. Since there is no scope of

increasing the forest areas, habitat enrichment at a large scale has to be done specially in the

vulnerable areas to provide as much as possible requirement of the herd to give. .

A pilot project for development of water bodies, necessary fodder grass and mixed

Plantation as required by elephant herds needs to be taken up in 3 locations of Buxa Tiger

Reserve, Jaldapara National Park and Gorumara National Park and to be extended in Moraghat,

Chilapata and Apalchand areas also integrated approach is required to be adopted.

11) Genetic conservation of wild rice :-

Previously the forest of North Bengal have a genetic biodiversity of wild rice which was

consumed by both man and animal. Many of the water tracts, which has now been restricted at a

genetic variation of wild rice, these wild rice are good source of protein and sugar for the

elephants and is one of the prime consideration of the Govt. of India for conservation and

preservation of such genetic diversity. In the habitat development so proposed a pilot project

will include the planting, genetic preservation and planting of such varieties of wild rice for

meeting the needs of wildlife.

12) Advanced technology application :-

To devise technology based alternatives to eliminate elephant casualties caused by Railway

locomotive collision :-

The prospect of an application of advance technological gadgets for tracking and information

transmission technology, ,where in movement of major elephant herds can be detected in

advance and same can be transmitted to the Forest and Railway headquarters, needs to be probed

into. A proposal has been given by WWF, Kolkata who are currently making use of similar

technology in tracking tigers in Sundarbans. They have developed certain gazette and cages

which are tuned to mobile phones. A similar pilot project has been sought from the WWF,

which will create electronically enabled 10 meter wide platforms. Upon elephants stepping on

the platform, SMS will be sent to atleast 5 sets of mobile phones. WWF, Kolkata has been

asked to submit project proposal for elephant crossings in North Bengal so that detection of

herds and their information to both forest and railway authorities near railway track can be

transmitted electronically.

24

13) Reduction of speed to 40 KMPH at the accident prone tracts with frequent use of whistles

for all moving trains.

14) Restrict the movement of goods trains between sunset and sunrise.

15) Application of population control measures through utilization of hormone free immuno-

contraceptive. This project can be made available through the assistance of WWF as was

discussed in the Indo-Nepal Trans-boundary Elephant Movement workshop in Siliguri on

19th

February ‘2013.

16) Solar application on electronic tracking device.

17) Establishment of spaces left by tea estates and devise a natural path for the elephant with

sufficient amount of favoured food.

18) Crop cultivation patterns in the restrained zones to be studied and altered, if necessary.

19) Amendment to EIA notification should be made by insertion of provision that any new

investment of value INR 100 million and above on forest lands already authorized for

non-forest uses will be subject to clearance again by the ministry with compulsory EIA.

20) Realignment of the track inside Mahananda Sanctuary (and elsewhere as needed near the

highway (and /or away form forest ) to ensure that elephants are not required to cross

railway track.

21) Legal entity should come into force for Elephant Reserve/ Critical Corridors & separate

Unit should be created to look after.

22) A proposal was sent by the Railway for renovation and conversion of Rly. Track form

Alipurduar to Jainti. This tract is one of the prime important habitat in relation to

wildlife movement specially elephant and is the major area for prey base of Tiger.

Conversion of this track will create enormous problems in future and will be a serious

accident prone point for elephants.

23) A similar conversion and renovation between New Mal to New Mainaguri is under

process. This line would be passing through 3 important stretches of forest land. This

may create another threat to nature. It should be sorted out immediately.

25

24) Better veterinary facilities ( with mobile unit).

“I was explaining to my colleague, the Hon’ble Minister of Sri Lanka about a

horrendous train accident in West Bengal - An unprecedented tragedy struck when seven

elephants were mowed down by trains. It has never happened before, almost unprecedented

and the wave of depression that came across the country due to this, but it just happened. I

think, we need to think because elephant is so much a part of our culture, so much part of our

lives, we take the elephant for granted and therefore to bring a greater degree of sensitivity in

all our plans, particularly in coal mining and iron ore mining, the two single most important

threats to elephant corridors in Central India which also houses these mineral resources. We

need this mineral wealth, we need more coal, we need more iron ore but we have to find a way

of extracting these resources without devastating elephant populations, without devastation

elephant corridors, without devastating elephant habitats. This is to my mind the single most

important challenge that we as a country face, as we become more sensitive to the cause of

elephant conservation.”

By :- Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Hon’ble Minister of

Environment and Forests, India while addressing E-8

meet

REFERENCE :-

1) Anon. (2011, 2012, 2013). Official records and reports published by the office of the

PCCF/WL, W.B.

2) Anon. (2012, 2011, 2010 2008). Annual Reports of Wildlife Wing, W.B.

3) Anon. (2013). Draft report on increasing Elephant casualty due to collision with Train

in North Bengal Rly track Wildlife Wing West Bengal. Issued vide

(No. 888(7)/WL/2W-512A/2012(Pt-IV) Dated : 05/03/2013 by PCCF/WL W.B.)

4) Chauhan NPS and Chaudhary Sushant (2002.).

Evaluation of Electric fence for their efficiency in controlling elephant damage in

Northern West Bengal and suggesting improvements The Indian Forester 128(2).

5) Anon. (2012). - Review and Draft Action Plan of human elephant conflicts in Trans

boundary region of Eastern Nepal –West Bengal (India). –WWF-India, WBSO.

6) Mallick, Jayanta Kumar (2012). – Trans Boundary Human –Elephant Conflict in the

Indo-Nepal Terai landscape –TIGERPAPER 39(4) Oct-Dec.

7) Menon Vivek, Tiwari Sandip Kumar, Easa P.S., and Sukumar R. (2005).- Right of

Passage.

8) Anon. (1997). Management of Elephant Population in West Bengal for mitigating man-

elephant conflicts (A consultancy report for W.B. Forestry Project ) by WII.

9) Anon. (24/05/2011). Proceedings of the elephant 8 Ministerial meet

organized by MOEF in partnership with WTI & WII.

10) Anon. (31/08/2011) - The report of the Elephant Task Force –Gajah.

11) Anon. – District profile of Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. (in website).

26

12) Anon. (2005-2006,2010-2011). State Annual Report published by Directorate of

Forests, Government of W.B.

13) Anon. (2013). Data Bank, Wildlife Wing, W.B.

05/07/2013