GUWAHATI: In a bid to empowering local communities affected by human-elephant conflict (HEC), a specialised training session on Assam lemon cultivation and crop protection was recently organised in the Konwarbam village of Jeypore, Dibrugarh.
A total of 38 residents from three nearby villages participated in the training session, which focused primarily on the cultivation techniques of Assam lemon (kaji nemu).
The initiative, organised by biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak with British Asian Trust, aimed at empowering local villagers affected by HEC by providing them with skills and resources to supplement their income, and offset losses incurred due to conflicts with elephants.
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Experts Sharmistha Borgohain and Sanghamitra Sarmah from Aaranyak and British Asian Trust, respectively, led the training, highlighting the strategic planting of lemon plants to serve as a bio-fence against elephant intrusions.
The recommended planting pattern involves arranging lemon plants in three rows, with alternate positioning within each row—a proven method to mitigate HEC while generating additional income through lemon sales, they informed.
Dr Alolika Sinha, a conservation biologist at Aaranyak, announced partial support to 15 beneficiaries for the initiation of the bio-fence using lemon saplings, which will be maintained and monitored by the villagers.
During the training session, participants also received practical demonstrations on pest management, harvesting seasons, and market prospects to enhance their income opportunities.
This initiative aligns with Aaranyak’s and the British Asian Trust’s broader mission of promoting human-elephant coexistence in Assam and Meghalaya, supported by the Darwin Initiative.
Interestingly, kaji nemu was crowned the title of State Fruit of Assam on February 13.
