Guwahati:
In view of the increasing cases of human-elephant conflict in Udalguri and Goalpara districts, a biodiversity conservation organisation in association with WWF-India installed a 7.5 km long solar-powered fence to foster human-elephant coexistence at Segunbari Part 1 & 2, Nonaipara and Arongajuli area in Udalguri district, recently.
Last week, Aaranyak had installed another 3.5 km long solar-powered fence at Nichinta Village in Goalpara district. Both the solar-powered fences consist of two strands.
This initiative will ensure food security and a substantial decrease in the level of human-elephant conflict (HEC), thus directly benefiting local communities residing in the areas, an official of Aranyak said.
Aaranyak stated that the solar panel fences were installed with the help of local communities and the Forest Department, and technical know-how and equipment were provided by the foundations.
According to Aaranyak, local youths have been trained to maintian the fences. “We formed fence management committees comprising members from the local villages to look after the fences and ensure regular maintenance of the same,” an Aaranyak official said.
Human-elephant conflict in Assam has become a common phenomenon, resulting in loss of life, damage to property, crop and even death of elephants on many occasions. And such incidents get reported from these two districts regularly.
Earlier in 2021, Environment and Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya had informed that 812 people lost their lives in the state due to human-elephant conflicts in the last 10 years.