GUWHATI: The forest field staff from six ranges of Goalpara Forest Division in Assam have been provided hands-on training by Aaryanak on the installation process, operation, and functioning of solar-powered fence used as a tool for human-elephant conflict (HEC) mitigation to facilitate coexistence.
A resource team of Aaranyak conducted a day-long training workshop, which was attended by over 50 frontline forest staff from all six ranges namely Goalpara Sadar, Rangjuli, Krishnai, Lakhipur, Protection Range, and Consolidation Range under Goalpara Forest Division.
The workshop comprised classroom sensitization and practical training on the handling of all the components of a solar-power fence, the functions of all the components, and the procedure of operation of a solar-power fences to achieve maximum effectiveness.
The workshop was organized at Habraghat College, Krishnai in Goalpara district by the research-driven biodiversity conservation organization Aaranyak in collaboration with Goalpara Forest Division.
The workshop was inaugurated by Mantu Das, Principal of Habraghat College in the presence of Forest Range Officers Shibani Doley and Dharmendra Das.
Senior conservation biologist of Aaranyak Dr Alolika Sinha explained on the various dimensions of human-elephant conflict (HEC) and different tools and strategies adopted to mitigate the problem to facilitate coexistence.
Dr Sinha also highlighted Aaranyak’s experience of working with the grassroot community in mitigating HEC and underscored the key role played by the forest personnel in the community-centric HEC mitigation efforts.
Anjan Baruah, Aaranyak’s expert in solar-power fence installation and operation, explained various types of solar fences used for HEC mitigation and operation methodologies during the workshop.
Bijay Sankar Bora, a senior official of Aaranyak, highlighted Aaranyak’s 35-year-long efforts to aid the conservation of biodiversity in the region with the efforts of the Forest Department and by working with the community on the ground.
Notably, Aaranyak and Goalpara Forest Division have been working closely in implementing an HEC mitigation programme under the division through community participation by adopting Aaranyak’s successful model of low-cost, single-strand solar-powered fence supported by angular posts.
