From 152 alerts on the movement of lions near train tracks in 2022 to 322 in 2023 – the Indian Railways has registered a significant rise in such sightings recently, an official statement underlined on Thursday. While seven Asiatic lions recently died in Amreli, 21 big cats have died during the period between 2013-14 and 2023-24 in train collisions, it added.
In the official statement released after the post-Budget virtual media interaction by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday, Railways also highlighted that new “safety mechanisms” have been put in place to prevent such incidents and 32 lions have been saved from being run over in the current financial year so far.
A dedicated WhatsApp group has been created, the statement underlined, by Railway staff and officers of the Gujarat Forest Department to share information regarding the movement of trains and lions in Amreli. “In the period from 2013-14 to 2023-24, a total of 21 lion deaths have occurred due to train accidents. Railways have made continued efforts to mitigate such incidents and safeguard wildlife in the region. Loco pilots operating empty goods trains adhere to prescribed speeds, and necessary speed restrictions are implemented in response to alerts issued by local forest officials regarding lion movement on the tracks every time,” said the release.
The only home for Asiatic lions in the world is Gir Forest and other protected areas spread across Amreli, Junagadh, Gir Somnath, and Bhavnagar districts in Saurashtra region. As per the forest department, the population of Asiatic lions was estimated to be 674 in 2020.
The Railways also underlined that the movement of lions in the vicinity of railway tracks has increased a great deal and cited caution orders (COs) issued to loco pilots to go slow after being alerted by the Forest Department. “2023-24 has witnessed a notable increase in Railway’s Caution Orders (CO) related to lion movement. In 2022, there were 152 cases, rising to 322 cases in 2023. Notably, October 2023 recorded 73 cases compared to 32 in this month of 2022, November 2023 saw 46 cases against 25, and December 2023 reported 45 cases compared to only 3 in this month of 2022. The collaboration between the authorities aims to improve response and safety measures in such situations,” the statement underlined.
The Railways said that besides continuous information sharing and speed restrictions, loco pilots avoided collisions with 32 lions in the year 2023-24. “Loco pilots, assistant loco pilots, and train managers (guards) receive training on wildlife safety protocol as part of their route learning. The Forest Department also conducts sessions to educate the train running staff about the behavior of the big cats and their habitat. In the fiscal year 2023-24, the quick response and alertness of loco pilots resulted in the prevention of collision with 32 lions, highlighting the effectiveness of the training provided,” said the release.
The Railways also said that it takes strict action against those loco pilots and officials who fail to adhere to issued instructions by extant guidelines. “This approach ensures accountability and reinforces the importance of following prescribed protocol.”
Meanwhile, officers of the state’s Forest Department complained that against their demand of reducing the train speed to 20 km per hour (kmph), the Railways is reducing the train speed to 45 kmph. “Headlines of loco engines don’t offer good visibility beyond 100 metres. So, loco pilots find it difficult to control the train even if it is chugging at a speed of 45 kmph,” said a senior forest officer.
From 152 alerts on the movement of lions near train tracks in 2022 to 322 in 2023 – the Indian Railways has registered a significant rise in such sightings recently, an official statement underlined on Thursday. While seven Asiatic lions recently died in Amreli, 21 big cats have died during the period between 2013-14 and 2023-24 in train collisions, it added.
In the official statement released after the post-Budget virtual media interaction by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday, Railways also highlighted that new “safety mechanisms” have been put in place to prevent such incidents and 32 lions have been saved from being run over in the current financial year so far.
A dedicated WhatsApp group has been created, the statement underlined, by Railway staff and officers of the Gujarat Forest Department to share information regarding the movement of trains and lions in Amreli. “In the period from 2013-14 to 2023-24, a total of 21 lion deaths have occurred due to train accidents. Railways have made continued efforts to mitigate such incidents and safeguard wildlife in the region. Loco pilots operating empty goods trains adhere to prescribed speeds, and necessary speed restrictions are implemented in response to alerts issued by local forest officials regarding lion movement on the tracks every time,” said the release.
The only home for Asiatic lions in the world is Gir Forest and other protected areas spread across Amreli, Junagadh, Gir Somnath, and Bhavnagar districts in Saurashtra region. As per the forest department, the population of Asiatic lions was estimated to be 674 in 2020.
The Railways also underlined that the movement of lions in the vicinity of railway tracks has increased a great deal and cited caution orders (COs) issued to loco pilots to go slow after being alerted by the Forest Department. “2023-24 has witnessed a notable increase in Railway’s Caution Orders (CO) related to lion movement. In 2022, there were 152 cases, rising to 322 cases in 2023. Notably, October 2023 recorded 73 cases compared to 32 in this month of 2022, November 2023 saw 46 cases against 25, and December 2023 reported 45 cases compared to only 3 in this month of 2022. The collaboration between the authorities aims to improve response and safety measures in such situations,” the statement underlined.
The Railways said that besides continuous information sharing and speed restrictions, loco pilots avoided collisions with 32 lions in the year 2023-24. “Loco pilots, assistant loco pilots, and train managers (guards) receive training on wildlife safety protocol as part of their route learning. The Forest Department also conducts sessions to educate the train running staff about the behavior of the big cats and their habitat. In the fiscal year 2023-24, the quick response and alertness of loco pilots resulted in the prevention of collision with 32 lions, highlighting the effectiveness of the training provided,” said the release.
The Railways also said that it takes strict action against those loco pilots and officials who fail to adhere to issued instructions by extant guidelines. “This approach ensures accountability and reinforces the importance of following prescribed protocol.”
Meanwhile, officers of the state’s Forest Department complained that against their demand of reducing the train speed to 20 km per hour (kmph), the Railways is reducing the train speed to 45 kmph. “Headlines of loco engines don’t offer good visibility beyond 100 metres. So, loco pilots find it difficult to control the train even if it is chugging at a speed of 45 kmph,” said a senior forest officer.
With inputs from Rijit Banerjee
A goods train passes through a village in Amreli, where seven Asiatic lions died recently. Gopal Kateshiya 
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