When Speed Kills: India’s Wildlife vs Infrastructure

Wildlife Deaths on Tracks & Roads – A Preventable Tragedy

Recent reports of elephants killed by the Rajdhani Express have reignited a painful truth: infrastructure is cutting through wildlife habitats without safeguards.

From elephants in Assam to tigers in Maharashtra, highways and railway tracks passing through forests have become death traps.

Why This Happens

• Lack of wildlife corridors
• Poor speed regulation
• Inadequate fencing and warnings

What Can Be Done

• Eco-bridges and underpasses
• Route realignments
• Strict speed enforcement

What can you do?

• Support conservation-focused development
• Demand wildlife-sensitive planning
• Choose sustainability over speed

Sources

• Indian Railways elephant deaths – The Hindu
• Wildlife roadkill data – WII India
• Tiger fatalities – Times of India