In Gujarat, India’s lion heartland, a distressing trend of lion fatalities  caused by trains are increasing. The latest death of a lioness on Sept 23 has once again raised a concern about the safety issues of the mighty lions in the state. 

The Asiatic lions of Gujarat are increasingly succumbing to diseases, open wells, and electric shocks. In recent times, the most significant threat has been the railway tracks of Amreli district.

Less than two months after an Asiatic lion cub was run over by a passenger train near Amreli’s Savarkundla, a lioness died after being struck by a train near Khadkala village in Savarkundla on Sept 23.

Several lions and lionesses have met a similar fate in recent years along the railway tracks between Pipavav and Liliya. 

Around 25 lions have been killed over the last nine years on this railway track, with four killed in a span of only three months.

Various factors behind the deaths

There is a lack of a secured sanctuary where the railway track falls.

Given the critical importance of the rail  track connecting to Pipavav port, an industrial hub, trains operate at a speed of 60-100 kmph on these tracks.

A railway official said, “It is not possible to slow down the speed of the train to 30 kmph every time as per the railway rules. Also, it is not an eco-sensitive zone.” He added, “Moreover, the trains running on the Pipavav-Liliya track cannot be slowed down as it may lead to danger due to the slightly elevated track.” 

Efforts by the authorities

To avert any unforeseen incidents involving animals, the forest department and railway authorities have installed more than 50 trackers on the 90-km-long track that witness regular sightings of lions. These trackers send a ‘caution order’ to the nearest station master office whenever any lion is spotted on the tracks. The railway station authorities then inform the driver to slow down on certain pillars to prevent lions from being hit.

Both authorities also carry out the communication via a WhatsApp group for the timely observation of lion sightings on the tracks and issuing caution orders accordingly.

Majority of incidents happen between Aug and Feb

August is monsoon in Gujarat during which brings greenery.This is also the time when the  beasts find their prey lurking along the vegetation near the railway tracks.

As the vegetation also attracts mosquitoes and other insects, so as to avoid them, the lions take to the tracks, unaware of the looming danger. 

Only 15 km of the track has fencing

The 90-km-long Pipavav-Liliya railway track has only 15-20 km of fencing along it. However, the fencing is said to be broken at most of the places.

Moreover, where there is fencing, the forest department has to issue keys to the fencing doors to the nearby farmers for their movement across the tracks. While this will incur a huge cost, it is also not practically possible to give keys to the farmers across the whole stretch. 

In the past, there have also been instances when the farmers left the doors of the fencing open and stray cattle or other animals entered the track, therefore causing trouble.

Decline in lion population after 2014 

Gujarat, a land that often took pride in its Asiatic lion population, now stands at a crossroads, as the lions roam and roar for security.

After 2014, the lions also started shifting towards Amreli and Bhavnagar. 

At these newly formed habitats lions often fall prey to accidents, observe the forest department. 

Efforts are currently underway by the department to compile an  observation list for the last few months with the aim to safeguard these lions.

(With inputs from IANS) 

For more such updates and news on the go, follow us on

Instagram | YouTube | Facebook