Sri Lanka has launched a new technology-based project aimed at reducing elephant-train collisions along railway lines that pass through areas frequently used by wild elephants.
A Memorandum of Understanding for the project was signed on September 1 at the Presidential Media Centre.
The initiative is being implemented as a public-private partnership coordinated through the Clean Sri Lanka programme.
It brings together:
- Sri Lanka Railways;
- the Department of Wildlife Conservation;
- the Department of Forest Conservation; and
- People's Bank.
People's Bank is providing financial support for the project.
The initiative is intended to use technology to detect elephants near railway tracks and provide warnings that could allow railway operators to respond before a collision occurs.
Project documentation describes the use of several types of detection technology, including systems based on:
- vibration;
- acoustic signals;
- radar;
- thermal sensing; and
- other sensors.
Investigations have identified 39 locations covering approximately 89 kilometres of railway track as areas associated with a higher risk of elephant-train collisions.
The initial implementation phase is expected to establish 13 detection systems.
A pilot component is planned along approximately 14 kilometres of railway between Habarana and Hataraskotuwa.
The project is expected to operate over a three-year period.
Sri Lanka has experienced repeated incidents in which elephants are struck and killed by trains, particularly where railway lines cross elephant habitats and movement corridors.
Such incidents also create risks for train crews and passengers and can disrupt rail services.
The technology project is intended to provide earlier warning of elephant movements and improve the ability of railway authorities to respond.
However, the effectiveness of the system has yet to be demonstrated through long-term operation.
The launch of the programme should therefore not be interpreted as meaning elephant-train collisions will necessarily be prevented.
Its actual impact will depend on technical reliability, deployment at appropriate locations, maintenance, operational response and the behaviour of elephants near railway corridors.