Assam Records Highest Elephant Deaths from Train Accidents and Poisoning: Study

Guwahati: Assam recorded the highest number of elephant deaths due to train collisions and poisoning in India between 2009 and 2024, according to a recent study by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Wildlife Institute of India, and AcSIR.

The study found that Assam reported 326 elephant deaths from human-related causes, the second-highest in the country after Odisha. The state recorded 82 elephant deaths from train accidents and 45 from poisoning, both the highest among all states.

The report also highlighted that Assam witnessed 1,161 human deaths due to elephant attacks during the 16-year period, making it one of India’s major human-elephant conflict hotspots.

Researchers stressed the need for improved mitigation measures, including early warning systems, better habitat connectivity, faster compensation, and stronger community participation to reduce both human and elephant casualties.