Belagavi: In yet another case of wild animals dying due to accidents on railway tracks in Khanapur forest, a two-year-old bison died after it got trapped under a moving train.
Last year at least 10 incidents were reported of wild animals coming under the train in Khanapur taluk due to the negligence of Forest Department.
According to sources, a herd of about 20 bisons was roaming close to the railway tracks at Shedbali forests in Khanapur around the time of the accident. One of bisons strayed onto the tracks after others had left.
According to sources, the bison was eating the leftover food thrown out of windows by train passengers when it got run over by the train. Later, a team of forest officials arrived at the spot and buried the animal, after post-mortem.
Forest Department sources have said despite holding several meetings with Railway department to prevent passengers from throwing the trash out of windows in forest areas, there has been no improvement in the situation.
In the recent times, many animals have died while crossing the tracks in search of water. There was a proposal to raise a barbed wire beside the railway tracks in forest areas, but the work is yet to be taken up due to paucity of funds, sources added.
A number of animals die in accidents on roads leading to Goa from Belagavi through the Western Ghats. Attempts were made by officials to ban movement of vehicles during nights on some of highways in in Khanapur and Goa regions, but it was lifted after sometime.
