In a decisive move to reduce rising incidents of man-elephant conflict in Assam, a major conservation project is underway in the Chirang district. The initiative, spearheaded by noted social worker and Assam Football Association General Secretary Sangrang Brahma. It involves the plantation of 600 banana and 1,000 jackfruit trees to create food corridors for wild elephants. Its for near human settlements.
Addressing a Persistent Threat To man-elephant Conflict
The forest-fringe villages near the Indo-Bhutan border have experienced increasing encounters with wild elephants over the past few years. As forests shrink and food sources become scarce, elephants often venture into villages in search of sustenance. Further, resulting in crop destruction, property damage, and sometimes, loss of life.
Brahma, who has been active in wildlife conservation efforts across Bodoland, said the project is aimed at reducing these deadly encounters. “We believe that by planting fruit-bearing trees along strategic forest edges, elephants will find food in the wild itself and avoid entering human settlements,” he stated.
Community-Driven Conservation
The plantation drive was carried out in collaboration with local villagers, school children, forest officials, and NGOs. Villages like Kuklung, Odalguri, and Bangaldoba have already started seeing initial planting activity. The focus is on banana and jackfruit trees as they are among the preferred foods of elephants and grow relatively quickly.
According to the Forest Department, this approach aligns with the Assam Elephant Conservation Action Plan. Which emphasizes habitat enrichment and community participation. Chirang’s forest officials confirmed that regular monitoring of the tree growth. Also, elephant movement will continue in collaboration with local youth groups.
A Model for Other Districts
The success of this pilot initiative could serve as a model for other conflict-prone districts such as Baksa, Udalguri, and Sonitpur. “This is a long-term strategy,” said Ramesh Basumatary, a forest ranger in Chirang. “If elephants know where they can find safe and abundant food. Rather, they are less likely to enter paddy fields or human habitations.”
The Forest Department is also in talks with the Assam State Biodiversity Board to seek additional funding. Additionally, it gives technical support for extending the program. Moreover, use of GPS collars on some elephant herds is also being considered to study their migratory patterns. And design more effective buffer zones.
Support from Civil Society
Environmental groups across Assam have welcomed the initiative. Bishal Deka, an ecologist associated with the NGO Green Horizon, said, “This type of eco-friendly solution respects both human safety and animal rights. It’s a refreshing shift from older methods like firecrackers or electric fencing, which often harmed the elephants.”
Efforts are also being made to educate villagers about elephant behavior. Workshops and awareness sessions are planned to train communities on how to respond calmly and effectively during an elephant sighting.
A Vision for Coexistence
With around 5,700 wild elephants, Assam has one of the largest elephant populations in India. Managing man-elephant conflict remains a top challenge for wildlife conservation in the state. Projects like this in Chirang show that a balance between conservation and community safety is achievable.
As the jackfruit and banana trees take root, the hope is that elephants will return to their natural foraging habits—and human lives and livelihoods will remain secure.
Read more about Assam’s wildlife conservation programs
Elephant Conservation Action Plan – Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
