Siliguri, 22nd September: Elephant deaths due to electrocution, accidents, and blade fencing are on the rise across entire North Bengal. Forest Minister Rajib Banerjee expressed concern over the issue today at an event in Siliguri’s Bengal Safari Park.
A meeting with the administrative officials was also held in this regard. The meeting was attended by officials of the National Highways Department, members of the Tea Association, power department as well as the railway department officials.
During the meeting, the forest minister issued instructions to immediately remove blade fencing from the tea gardens. He also asked to install rubber speed breakers in national highways. On the other hand, instructions have been given to reduce the speed of trains to 25-30 km/hr on the Siliguri-Falakata railway line.
Forest Minister Rajib Banerjee announced that a Monitoring Committee will be formed to prevent elephant deaths in the region. The committee will consist of Asian Highway officials, power department officials, members of the Tea Association, and railway officials. The committee will keep special surveillance and adopt necessary steps to prevent elephant deaths.