No trains at night, limited speeds in day to curb lion deaths in state
Updated: Apr 10th, 2024
Gujarat High Court |
The Gujarat High Court has expressed serious concern over the deaths of lions in the Gir forest sanctuary area. The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed regarding the unnatural and accidental deaths of lions.
A bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha P Mayee on Apr 9 came down heavily on the railway authorities and forest department officials. The court told them in clear terms that it is their responsibility to protect wildlife, including lions.
The state government or the railway department cannot shirk their responsibility. If any lion or any wildlife dies due to external factors or circumstances, the authorities are responsible, as the court stated.
The court also ordered the chief conservator of forests and the divisional railway manager to file an affidavit in this regard.
Trains are also mandated to no longer run at night in forest areas, and their speed will be limited to 30 kmph during the day. The speed of trains passing outside forest areas will also be limited to 40 kmph.
The Railways and Forest Department have deployed trackers to track lions, and solar lights have been installed on the tracks to deter lions from moving on them.
The High Court had earlier, on Apr 6, directed the authorities to submit a report on the steps taken to prevent lion deaths. However, the court was not satisfied with the report submitted by the authorities.
The court also criticised the affidavits filed by the railway authorities and the state government, saying that they lacked many details.
The court said, “Lions are the children of the state. If they go out of the forest and meet with an accident, will you not investigate?”
The court also raised serious questions about the fact that no inquiry report or report was submitted by the government officials in the PIL petition filed regarding the deaths of lions.
High Court’s critical questions to authorities
The High Court, in a critical remark to the government and the railway authorities, said, “Does the High Court have to tell you in every small matter, do this, do that? Why aren’t you aware of submitting additional details or information on your own?”
The court further grilled the authorities, saying, “Did you conduct any investigation into the two accidents involving lions this year? And what steps have been taken to prevent accidents? Will you only work if the court questions you? Not till then?”
Meanwhile, court assistant Hemang Shah said that the railway authority’s plan to convert the railway line between Amreli and Khijadiya to a broad gauge is not feasible.
Reasoning for this, he mentioned that the main line corridor passes through the Gir sanctuary area. The High Court therefore also questioned the railway authorities and the government about the Amreli-Khijadiya broad gauge project.
The railway authority defended itself by saying that the train speed on this line will also range from 40 kmph to 50 kmph. The court made a follow-up question: “Is there any guarantee that there will be no accidents involving lions? The railway will not get permission from the High Court to convert this line to broad gauge.”
The High Court also ordered the authorities to submit a report on the number of passengers travelling on this route and an inquiry into the deaths of two lions. The next hearing of the case has been adjourned to Apr 23.
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