Bhavnagar Railway Saves 70 Lions in 2024

Bhavnagar : Efforts by the Bhavnagar Railway Division and the Forest Department have significantly contributed to the conservation of wildlife, particularly lions, in Gujarat’s forested regions. By maintaining strict vigilance and adhering to safety protocols, the Bhavnagar Railway Division has successfully saved 70 lions from fatal accidents on the railway tracks during the current financial year.

Ravish Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager of Bhavnagar Division, emphasized the importance of coordination between the railway staff and forest trackers to protect wildlife. “Our loco pilots and forest officials have been working in close collaboration, and their quick responses have helped avert multiple incidents where lions were found near the tracks,” he stated.

In a recent incident on October 3, 2024, Loco Pilot Baliram Kumar and Assistant Loco Pilot Chintan Kumar were operating Passenger Train No. 09540 on the Junagadh-Amreli route. While crossing the Junagadh-Bilkha section, they spotted a lion on the tracks and immediately applied the emergency brake, halting the train. “The Train Manager was informed, and the train remained stopped until forest officials arrived to guide the lion away from the tracks,” added Ravish Kumar. The swift action taken by the loco pilots received appreciation from senior railway officials, including Additional Divisional Railway Manager Himanshu Sharma.

Another similar event occurred on September 19, 2024, when Loco Pilot Chandan Kumar and Assistant Loco Pilot Jagdish Prasad were operating Passenger Train No. 06394 on the Delwada-Junagadh route. They encountered a lion sitting on the tracks in the Sangir-Kansianesh section. The pilots acted promptly, stopping the train by applying the emergency brakes and waiting for forest officials to remove the lion from the tracks.

Forest trackers and railway staff have been working in close coordination in several other incidents. On August 8, 2024, in the Pipavav–Rajula section, Loco Pilot Vivek Verma and Assistant Loco Pilot Rahul Solanki were operating a freight train when forest trackers signaled them with a red light, indicating the presence of lions. Two lions were spotted sitting on the tracks, and the train was halted until the animals were safely cleared from the area.

The largest lion rescue in recent months took place on June 17, 2024, near Pipavav port. Loco Pilot Mukesh Kumar Meena noticed a group of 10 lions crossing the tracks and swiftly applied the emergency brake, preventing a potential disaster. “This was a crucial moment, and the pilot’s quick reaction saved the lives of these lions,” said Mashook Ahmad, Senior DCM of Bhavnagar Division.

These incidents highlight the efforts being made by Bhavnagar Railway to ensure the safety of both wildlife and train passengers. Special instructions have been issued to all loco pilots to control train speeds and exercise extreme caution in forested areas like Dhasa to Pipavav, Gadhakada to Vijpadi, and Rajula City to Pipavav Port. Pilots have been instructed to sound their horns and maintain strict speed limits when operating in these regions.

“The movement of lions near railway tracks is being closely monitored by the forest department and railway administration,” added Ravish Kumar. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to conserve Gujarat’s lion population, which has often come into conflict with railway operations due to the proximity of tracks to forest areas.