Assam Launches 'Gaja Mitra' Initiative to Mitigate Human-Elephant Conflicts
Introduction of the 'Gaja Mitra' Scheme
Guwahati, July 11: In response to the rising incidents of human-elephant conflicts in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has unveiled the 'Gaja Mitra' initiative, initially proposed in the state budget.
Target Areas for Implementation
This program will focus on 80 high-risk areas identified in the districts most affected by these conflicts, including Goalpara, Udalguri, Nagaon, Baksa, Sonitpur, Golaghat, Jorhat, and Biswanath, to implement community-driven solutions.
Details of the Initiative
During a Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Sarma emphasized, “The Gaja Mitra Scheme reflects our dedication to minimizing the unfortunate clashes between humans and elephants. Each designated area will have a rapid response team consisting of eight local residents to address conflict situations promptly. Furthermore, we will enhance elephant habitats by planting bamboo and Napier grass, offering alternative food sources to discourage elephants from invading human territories. We are also planning to install solar fencing to establish secure boundaries. Our goal is to foster a harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants in Assam.”
The Need for Urgent Action
A recent report from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) highlights the critical nature of this initiative, revealing that from 2000 to 2023, Assam experienced over 1,400 human fatalities due to elephant encounters, while 1,209 elephants died, with 626 attributed to human actions.
Causes of Elephant Mortality
Electrocution was identified as the primary cause of unnatural elephant deaths, accounting for 209 fatalities over 23 years. Other significant causes included accidental deaths (127), various human-induced stressors (97), train collisions (67), poisoning (62), poaching (55), retaliatory killings (5), and vehicle collisions (4). The highest mortality rates were reported in regions such as Nagaon Territorial, Sonitpur West, Dhanasiri, and Karbi Anglong East.
Impact on Elephant Populations
Adult male elephants, essential for herd stability and forest ecology, are particularly vulnerable to threats like electrocution and retaliatory killings. The WII report links these alarming statistics to poorly maintained power lines, railway expansions through elephant corridors, and illegal electrified fencing connected to distribution lines.
Conflict Incidents Overview
Between 2000 and 2023, Assam recorded 1,806 conflict incidents, leading to 1,468 human deaths and 337 injuries. A seasonal pattern was observed, with increased encounters during the monsoon months, likely due to elephants seeking food and shelter in human areas as their natural habitats diminish.
Future Outlook
The 'Gaja Mitra' initiative aims to enhance community engagement and implement sustainable ecological practices to ensure a safer environment for both local communities and the elephant population, which is crucial for maintaining forest health and biodiversity.