Guwahati (Assam) [India], October 19 (HBTV): In a continued effort to mitigate human-elephant conflict (HEC) and safeguard rural livelihoods, a biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department, has handed over seasonal solar fences to communities across the three eastern Assam districts of Jorhat, Tinsukia, and Sivasagar.
These community-managed solar fences are designed to protect farmlands from crop depredation by elephants while promoting coexistence between people and wildlife.
The series of handover meetings took place during the second week of this month, bringing together representatives from local communities, Village Fencing Committees (VFCs), Assam Forest Department officials, gaon pradhans, Village Champions formed by Aaranyak, and other stakeholders. Around 160 participants took part in the events held across the three districts.
One such meeting was held at the Padumfula Community Hall in the Sadiya region of Tinsukia district, where approximately 6 km of solar fencing was officially handed over to the VFCs of Balijan Nagaon, Padumfula, and 1 Number Basagaon villages.
The initiative continued in the Demowmukh area of Sivasagar district, where nearly 18 km of fencing was handed over to protect agricultural lands in Majumelia, Charagua Grant, Demowmukh Mising Gaon, and Demowmukh Gohain Gaon.
At the Bezorchiga Community Hall in Jorhat district, about 30.1 km of solar fencing was handed over to the communities of Hatishal, Bezorchiga, Sagunpara, Major Chapori, Sumoni Sapori, and Chutalbagh.
These fences, installed strategically along vulnerable crop zones, will be managed by local Village Fencing Committees to ensure sustainability and community ownership. The initiative aims not only to reduce crop losses due to elephant raids but also to strengthen community participation in wildlife conservation.
The events were facilitated by the Aaranyak team comprising Anjan Baruah, Zakir Islam Bora, Rubul Tanti, Niranjan Bhuyan, Tibrajyoti Gogoi, Deep Jyoti Gogoi, Debojit Gogoi, Tonmoy Gogoi, Ananta Dutta, Lakhinath Taid, Chiranjeev Kalita, and Jiaur Rehmaan.
This community-based conservation effort underscores Aaranyak’s ongoing commitment to fostering human-wildlife coexistence through practical, locally driven solutions.
(ANI)