Guwahati: In an effort to mitigate human-elephant conflict (HEC), Aaranyak, India’s premier biodiversity conservation organization, has installed 20 pairs of signages at selected strategic points across Udalguri, Baksa, and Tamulpur districts of Assam during October and November 2024.
Supported by the SBI Foundation, this initiative aims to reduce the risks associated with frequent human-elephant interactions in these areas. By raising awareness level and promoting safety, the signage serves as vital tools in fostering coexistence between humans and wild elephants.
The strategic placement of these signages was carefully planned, taking into account suggestions provided by members of the Elephant Conservation Network (ECN), local communities, and the Forest Department.
These districts are home to essential elephant corridors, which serve as vital links between habitats in Assam, Bhutan, and Arunachal Pradesh. These corridors are crucial for the movement and conservation of elephants.
However, human activities such as farming, road use, and settlement expansion often intersect with these corridors, creating potential conflict zones.
The signages were strategically placed at designated elephant crossing points. These locations were identified through a combination of ground surveys, historical records, and real-time input from relevant stakeholders.
The signages, designed in English, Assamese, and Bodo, have been carefully crafted to cater to the linguistic and cultural diversity of the region, ensuring maximum accessibility and comprehension.
These visual aids serve as reminders for locals and travellers alike, including those crossing from Bhutan, to exercise caution in these sensitive zones. Scientific research supports the effectiveness of such interventions, indicating that advance warnings significantly reduce the likelihood of surprise encounters.
By disseminating information and encouraging preventative measures, these signages contribute to the prevention of accidents, vehicle collisions, and other potentially hazardous situations that could escalate into conflict.
As keystone species, elephants play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem health. Safeguarding their migratory routes is crucial for their survival and the preservation of genetic diversity within their populations.
Aaranyak organized a series of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) sessions with local residents to explain the purpose and significance of the signages. These sessions emphasized how the installations could mitigate risks, preserve human life, and safeguard livelihoods.
The installation of these signages is an integral part of Aaranyak’s comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of human-elephant conflict (HEC).
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While these signages are not a standalone solution, they form a crucial component of a larger strategy that encompasses habitat restoration, alternative livelihood programs, and the promotion of non-forageable crops to mitigate crop depredation.
