Running trains have accidentally killed 62 elephants, incidentally the mascot of the Indian Railways, in five years. A CAG report revealed that most of these deaths, about 43 during 2006-11, have been reported from the Northeast Frontier Railway Zone that includes the northeast states.
The CAG came down heavily on the Indian Railways for violating environmental norms, since many of the fatalities are concentrated in Assam, stretches of which have rail lines across forested areas and known elephant corridors.
While large numbers of wildlife are known to have been killed by trains, figures are available only for large animals like elephants.
The national auditor castigated the Indian Railways for failing to formulate comprehensive environmental guidelines for handling and transportation of bulk pollution intensive commodities like coal, iron ore, cement, fertilisers.
