In a heartwarming incident in Jharkhand, a goods train was halted for two hours to allow a pregnant elephant to give birth safely on the tracks. The event took place in the early morning hours of June 25, near Sarwaha village, between the Barkakana and Hazaribagh stations. This section of the Ranchi–Koderma route, under the East Central Railway, is known to be an active elephant corridor.

The incident came to light after a video of the elephant giving birth went viral on social media. According to reports, a forest guard alerted the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Ramgarh, Nitish Kumar, at 3 am, informing him that a pregnant elephant was in labor on the tracks and was in danger of being run over by a train. DFO Kumar immediately contacted the railway control room in Barkakana and requested them to halt all train movement on the route.

Responding swiftly, railway officials stopped a goods train carrying coal, ensuring the safety of the elephant and her soon-to-be-born calf. The train remained stationary for over two hours, allowing the elephant to give birth without any disturbance. Once the calf was born, locals and forest staff worked together to guide the mother and her newborn back to their herd, deeper into the forest. Officials described the collaborative effort as a "lifesaving" intervention.

This incident highlights the increasing need for better protection for animals in areas where railway tracks intersect with wildlife corridors. The Barkakana route is a known elephant corridor, with herds frequently crossing both highways and railway lines. With plans underway to double the tracks and increase traffic, forest officials are urging the railways to incorporate dedicated wildlife crossings to prevent future accidents.

In response to such incidents, AI-based systems are being set up along these tracks in Jharkhand to detect elephants early and alert train drivers, aiming to prevent accidents. This proactive approach is crucial, considering the rise in human-elephant conflicts in the state. Jharkhand has reported a significant loss of human lives due to these conflicts in recent years. Additionally, a number of elephants have died due to electrocution and other reasons.

The collaborative effort between the railways, the forest department, and local villagers in this incident demonstrates the importance of community action and quick response in protecting wildlife. It also underscores the need for ongoing efforts to mitigate human-animal conflict and ensure the safe passage of elephants in their natural habitat.