Guwahati, Dec 6 : Aaranyak, a leading biodiversity conservation organisation in India, has installed 20 pairs of signages across key locations in Assam’s Udalguri, Baksa, and Tamulpur districts. This initiative, supported by the SBI Foundation, aims to address the frequent human-elephant conflicts (HEC) prevalent in these regions by promoting awareness and safety.
These districts are home to crucial elephant corridors connecting Assam, Bhutan, and Arunachal Pradesh. However, human activities such as farming, road use, and expanding settlements often overlap with these routes, leading to conflict zones. The newly installed signages mark critical elephant crossing points identified through detailed ground surveys, historical data, and real-time community input.
Designed in English, Assamese, and Bodo, the signages cater to the region’s linguistic diversity, ensuring accessibility for local residents and travellers, including those from Bhutan. Aaranyak highlighted the importance of these warnings in reducing surprise encounters, vehicle collisions, and accidents that can escalate conflicts.
“Community engagement has been at the heart of this project,” Aaranyak stated. Through interactive sessions and awareness campaigns with local communities, the organisation explained the purpose and benefits of the signages. These discussions fostered a sense of ownership among residents and highlighted how the installations contribute to saving lives and protecting livelihoods.
Aaranyak emphasized that while signages alone cannot resolve HEC, they play a critical role in complementing broader strategies. These include habitat restoration, promotion of alternative crops, and livelihood programs aimed at mitigating the impact of HEC on humans and elephants alike.
The installation was led by Aaranyak’s team—Mondeep Basumatari, Abhijit Saikia, Bikash Tossa, and Pradeep Barman—with strong support from local residents. By fostering awareness, encouraging precaution, and safeguarding critical habitats, this initiative underscores Aaranyak’s commitment to promoting coexistence between humans and wildlife for a sustainable future.
