Tripura Seeks Elephant Underpasses Along Rail and Highway Corridors to Curb Man-Animal Conflict: Minister Animesh Debbarma

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, October 31, 2025

Tripura Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma on Thursday said the state government has requested the Ministry of Railways and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to construct underpasses in stretches passing through elephant corridors to reduce the growing incidents of man-elephant conflict.

Speaking to reporters during the Wildlife Week celebration, Debbarma said the state’s traditional elephant corridor once extended up to Chittagong in Bangladesh, allowing wild elephants to roam freely through continuous forested stretches. However, the erection of barbed wire fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border has restricted their natural movement. “Now, the elephants are confined to smaller areas, and in search of food, they often stray into human settlements, leading to destruction and tension,” he said.

The minister pointed out that the expansion of railway and national highway networks through forested areas has further fragmented elephant habitats, creating difficulties for herds to move between ranges. “If the proposed underpasses are built, it will facilitate safe movement for elephants and significantly reduce man-animal conflicts,” Debbarma added.

Experts have recommended that ensuring adequate food within forest areas can help prevent elephants from venturing into villages. They suggested large-scale plantation of banana trees and bamboo to provide sufficient fodder for the herds.

Highlighting the state’s conservation efforts, Debbarma said Tripura is home to over 100 listed wildlife species, all of which play vital roles in maintaining ecological balance. He also announced that the forest department would soon recruit 194 personnel, including 104 forest guards and 90 rangers, to strengthen anti-poaching and forest protection measures.

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