New Delhi: A forest guard's quick action helped save a herd of elephants from a train collision in West Bengal, after footage of the incident was shared online by an Indian Forest Service officer. The dramatic rescue highlighted the dangers wildlife face along tracks that intersect with natural migration paths.
In the widely shared video, forest staff member Akash Kerketta of the Kurseong division stands near the railway lines, vigorously waving a red cloth to signal an oncoming locomotive. The Sikkim Mahananda Express was operating along the Bagdogra-Naxalbari route when the event unfolded.
As the group of elephants moved across the tracks, Kerketta persisted with his warning signals to draw the attention of the train operators. The crew responded swiftly by slowing the train down, thereby preventing a potential collision and ensuring the animals crossed safely.
IFS officer Parveen Kaswan posted the footage on social media, commending the guard's presence of mind and praising the collaborative effort required to protect wildlife behind the scenes. Social media users echoed this sentiment, viewing thousands of times and expressing gratitude for both the guard's alertness and the prompt reaction of the train pilots.
Train collisions remain a severe threat to elephants in regions where rail lines traverse dense forest corridors and ancient migration trails. Incidents over the years have driven authorities to implement various safety measures, ranging from artificial intelligence monitoring and vulnerability mapping to early-warning mechanisms and ground-level vigilance by forest personnel.