RAILWAY TRACK, ROAD NETWORK AND ELECTRIFICATION OF HABITATS IN AND AROUND RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK: A SERIOUS THREAT FOR NORTH-WEST POPULATION OF ASIAN ELEPHANT

Increasing train traffic in Haridwar?Dehradun railway track and vehicle traffic in national highways/motor roads running across Rajaji National Park has caused elephant’s population fragmentation in Shivalik Elephant Reserve No. 11. Besides, electrification of habitats is putting the long-term survival of some 418 elephants at risk. In between 1987?2002, a total of 20 elephants have been killed on railway track from Motichur to Kansrao whereas no any elephant causality has been observed since last nine years. However rapid increasing vehicle traffic on motor roads has hindered the frequent movement of elephant’s especially of groups. On an average, 14,100 vehicles were found to run across Haridwar?Dehradun national highway No. 72, whereas 9,900 vehicles have been observed to sprint daily across the Haridwar?Bijnor national highway No. 74 and due to this Motichur?Chilla wildlife corridor has been affected severely, which links Rajaji and Corbett National Parks. High-tension electric lines, which exist over to elephant’s habitat has killed 8 elephants since 2008 in Rajaji?Corbett wildlife corridor. Elephant’s population in Rajaji is appearing to be fragmented and their unnatural death rate is increasing (>50 elephants died since 2007). Hence, further efforts to enhance elephant’s movements and resolve man?elephant conflict are still needed to minimize conservation threats.