Train & Road Accidents

Establish Early-Warning and Monitoring Systems

• Install infrared motion sensors and thermal cameras along high-risk tracks to detect large animal movement.
• Implement radar-based warning systems to alert train operators of elephant presence well in advance.
• Connect the system to an automated signal network to activate emergency speed reductions or halt trains when elephants are detected.

Documentation: Evidence captured in images A3-1 to A3-9 shows the current state of railway tracks and the urgent need for monitoring systems.

Assign Wildlife Spotters on Trains

• For trains passing through high-risk zones, assign trained wildlife officers to travel in the engine compartment.
• These spotters can act as a second pair of eyes, helping the train driver slow down or stop when elephants are spotted near the tracks.
• Spotters should get into the Engine compartment and travel up till the end of this corridor. They should travel back and forth on every train that passes through this corridor.
• Speed 20 Kmh should be fully enforced and Engineers who break this rule needs to face consequences.
• We need 4 spotters to be employed on each route to travel in these trains. 2 spotters each way.

Clear Vegetation Near Tracks

• Maintain a clear zone on both sides of the track in elephant-prone areas to improve visibility.
• Vegetation clearance should be done carefully to avoid destroying elephant habitat but enough to give train drivers a better line of sight.

Build Underpasses and Overpasses

Construct elephant underpasses or overpasses in known crossing areas to allow elephants safe passage under or over the railway tracks. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the Government of Sri Lanka initiated the construction of an elephant overpass in the Galgamuwa area in 2022.

This project stands as a clear example of well-planned infrastructure aimed at conserving wildlife while ensuring human safety. The overpass was carefully designed based on data about elephant movement patterns and high-risk collision zones. At present the work has been halted due to lack of funds. It's now close to 2 years no work has been conducted.

Such overpasses not only prevent fatalities but also help maintain the natural migratory routes that elephants have used for generations. By expanding similar projects in other high-risk areas, Sri Lanka can significantly reduce elephant deaths on train tracks and move toward a more sustainable model of human-wildlife coexistence.

• These wildlife crossings have proven effective in other countries such as India, Kenya, and Thailand.

Documentation: Project details captured in images A4-1, A4-2.

Implement Speed Limits in High-Risk Zones

• Impose strict speed limits for trains traveling through designated elephant corridors, especially during the hours of dusk and dawn when elephants are most active.
• 20Kmh is the max and Engine drivers cannot exceed this speed limit.
• Use warning signs and audible train horns to deter elephants from approaching the tracks.

Documentation: Speed limit implementation examples shown in images A5-1 to A5-6.

Use Smart Fencing and Barriers

To effectively reduce human-elephant conflicts and protect both communities and elephants, it's essential to implement advanced, eco-friendly, and sustainable fencing solutions. Several modern and traditional systems can be combined for maximum impact.

Smart Electric Fencing

Electric fencing alone is not the solution to human–elephant conflicts. We must identify the root cause of the problem. In every village attacked by elephants, there is a jungle nearby where these giants roam freely. When they become hungry—whether during the day or at night—they quietly approach farmlands to feed on crops.

Simply throwing firecrackers or installing conventional electric fences will not stop these highly intelligent animals from finding ways to reach food. They learn quickly and adapt. The real solution lies in driving them back to the jungles they came from while ensuring those jungles remain safe and abundant with food and water.

Instead of asking villagers to maintain high- or low-voltage fences, we should focus on securing and monitoring elephant habitats. This approach, known as Smart Fencing, aims to prevent elephants from leaving their forest ranges in the first place. By protecting their natural territory, we reduce conflict before it starts.

Other Fencing Solutions:

• Beehive Fencing: Elephants naturally fear bees. Low-cost and sustainable, provides additional income through honey production.
• Virtual Geofencing: Uses GPS collars on elephants to track movement and send alerts when approaching boundaries.
• Chili Rope or Grease Barriers: Elephants dislike the strong smell of chili.
• Moats, Trenches, and Natural Barriers: Deep trenches or thorny plants can deter elephants.
• Acoustic and Light-Based Deterrents: Ultrasonic sound or flashing lights integrated with smart fences.

Documentation: Various fencing solutions demonstrated in images A6-1 to A6-10.

Educate Train Operators and Local Communities

• Train drivers and railway staff should be educated about elephant behavior and the importance of slowing down in critical zones.
• Awareness programs for nearby communities can also encourage timely reporting of elephant sightings near railway lines.

Improve Data Collection and Research

• Maintain a centralized database to track all elephant-train collisions.
• Analyze patterns, locations, and seasonal trends to improve future planning and prevention strategies.