HT Bureau
Guwahati, July 13: Aaranyak, a leading conservation organisation, has unveiled a new outreach campaign called ‘Gajah Kotha’ (The Elephant Story) to address the growing issue of human-elephant conflict (HEC) in Assam. The initiative aims to foster coexistence between local communities and the majestic elephants that inhabit the region.
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Targeting HEC-affected villages in eastern Assam, ‘Gajah Kotha’ educates community members about the behaviour, ecology, and cultural significance of elephants, highlighting the importance of their conservation. Aaranyak, in partnership with the British Asian Trust and with the support of the Assam Forest department and the Darwin Initiative, is implementing this campaign as part of their efforts to promote harmonious coexistence.
Dr Alolika Sinha, a senior conservationist at Aaranyak’s Elephant Research and Conservation Division, stated, “In collaboration with scientists, artists, educators, and conservationists, we have developed engaging awareness materials for exhibitions that are accessible to women, men, youth, the elderly, and students within the community.”
To date, the ‘Gajah Kotha’ campaigns have reached over 1,200 individuals affected by HEC in Eastern Assam. Locations where the campaigns have taken place include Haladhibari, Jaborchuk Kathoni, Gazera, Gazera High School, Ujani Majuli Kherkatia High School, Pub Majuli Kherkatia HS School, Jaborchuk Basa, Jopanchuk, Konwabam, Panchukia Bongaon, Nahorjan Lebankula, Nagaghat Tantipather, Lebankula ME School, Kamargaon ME School, Ujani Sadiya HS School, Padumphula, Chamarajan, Charaguwa Grant, Majumelia, Charagua ME School, Charagua High School, Demomukh Gohaingaon, Sankardev Janajati ME School, and Bejorchiga.
Aaranyak collaborated with various local organisations to mobilise community members and future stewards from each HEC-affected area. These organisations and community members engaged in discussions with Aaranyak’s experts to explore innovative approaches for human-wildlife coexistence.
Zakir Islam Bora, an Aaranyak official overseeing the initiative in Eastern Assam, commented, “Our community educators, field staff, and village champions are tirelessly working towards fostering coexistence between communities and elephants in Assam, where a well-established elephant population coexists with escalating conflicts.”
The ‘Gajah Kotha’ campaign strives to create awareness, empower local communities, and promote sustainable solutions that will ensure the peaceful coexistence of humans and elephants in Assam.
