Strategic Solutions Needed for Resolving Human-Elephant Conflicts, Not Reactive Measures

The recent tragedy involving a train collision that killed three elephants and derailed carriages along the Batticaloa-bound night train has sparked an intense outcry on social media.

In response, the railway authority’s decision to run trains on that line only during the day appears to be more reactive than strategic.

While it may appease online critics, it overlooks the deeper issue at hand and sets a worrisome precedent for decision-making based on social media pressures rather than thoughtful, long-term solutions.

Limiting train operations to daylight hours may seem like an immediate fix, but it's far from practical or sustainable.

Such a change will inevitably disrupt schedules, affect freight deliveries, and impact communities that rely on these transport services.

Economically, this shift could be detrimental to regions dependent on nighttime rail operations, as increasing the number of carriages to offset the loss of commercial capacity isn’t feasible with the current locomotive pulling power.

Not to mention, it doesn’t address the core problem, elephants continue to cross these tracks, day or night.

There are far more nuanced and effective solutions that could be implemented. For one, electronic tagging of elephants, already a proven method in wildlife conservation, could be introduced.

GPS systems and handheld units in locomotive engines could alert train operators when tagged elephants are near, allowing them to slow down or take precautions.

Another viable option is using high-frequency sound-emitting devices that only elephants can hear, warning them to steer clear of oncoming trains without disturbing other animals or nearby residents.

Additionally, trains could slow down considerably in accident-prone areas while speeding up on open stretches to make up for the time lost, or train schedules could be adjusted in a more precise manner to avoid passing through these zones during peak elephant movement hours.

These measures would mitigate the risk to elephants without compromising the region’s economic stability or social connectivity.

What we need are real, innovative solutions, not rushed decisions aimed at quelling public outcry.

Addressing human-elephant conflict in the modern world requires thoughtful integration of technology, careful planning, and a genuine commitment to coexistence.

Read more here