The Bangladesh Railway is set to install sensor-equipped robotic cameras along elephant corridors in the protected forests through which the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar rail line passes. The project, costing nearly Tk 40 crore, aims to reduce train-elephant collisions and ensure safer movement of wildlife.
Six robotic cameras will be placed at six key elephant corridors. Each camera will be fitted with advanced sensors capable of detecting the silhouette of elephants.
If an elephant suddenly steps onto the tracks, the camera will identify it and immediately send a signal, triggering red warning lights installed alongside the rail line.
Seeing the red signal from a distance, train drivers will be able to slow down or stop, allowing elephants or entire herds to cross safely. This technology is expected to save elephant lives and significantly reduce the number of accidents.
Despite the construction of overpasses and underpasses along the Cox’s Bazar railway line to facilitate elephant movement, accidents have continued to occur, with elephants occasionally killed by oncoming trains. The initiative to install robotic cameras marks a new effort to address this persistent challenge and is being seen as a beacon of hope for elephant conservation in the region.
Md. Sabuktogin, Chief Engineer of Railway (East Zone), said: “Overpasses and underpasses have been built to ensure safe elephant crossings, and train speed in forest areas has been reduced.
Yet, elephants sometimes avoid these passages and cross the tracks directly. This is why we are now introducing technology to make the corridors safer.
The robotic cameras we are procuring will be able to detect elephant movement, and we plan to bring all key corridors under this system within this year.”
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Courtesy
