HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, July 20: Forest field staff from all ranges of the Goalpara Forest Division received hands-on training on the installation, operation, and functioning of solar-powered fences as a tool for mitigating human-elephant conflict (HEC) to facilitate coexistence.
A resource team from Aaranyak conducted a day-long training workshop attended by about 50 frontline forest staff from the six ranges: Goalpara Sadar, Rangjuli, Krishnai, Lakhipur, Protection Range, and Consolidation Range under Goalpara Forest Division.
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The workshop included classroom sensitisation and practical training on handling all components of a solar-powered fence, explaining their functions and operational procedures to achieve maximum effectiveness.
The workshop, held at Habraghat College in Krishnai, Goalpara district, was organised by Aaranyak in collaboration with the Goalpara Forest Division. It was inaugurated by the principal of the college, Mantu Das, in the presence of forest range officers Shibani Doley and Dharmendra Das.
Senior conservation biologist of Aaranyak, Dr Alolika Sinha, explained the various dimensions of HEC and different tools and strategies adopted to mitigate the problem and facilitate coexistence. She highlighted Aaranyak’s experience working with grassroots communities in mitigating HEC and underscored the key role played by forest personnel in community-centric HEC mitigation efforts.
Aaranyak’s expert in solar-power fence installation and operation, Anjan Baruah, gave a detailed presentation on various types of solar fences used for HEC mitigation, explaining the functioning of every major and minor component. During a practical session, Baruah demonstrated the installation and operation of a solar-powered fence, providing hands-on experience to the participants.
Senior Aaranyak official Bijay Sankar Bora set the workshop in motion by highlighting Aaranyak’s 35-year effort in aiding biodiversity conservation in the region, complementing Forest Department efforts and working with the community on the ground.
Aaranyak staff Swapan Das emphasised the importance of establishing close rapport with community members by forest field staff for achieving HEC mitigation goals. Anjan Baruah and Dr Alolika Sinha also explained the procedure to help community members claim compensation for crop damages due to HEC. Aaranyak staff Ripunjoy Nath, Nipul Chakma, and Pankaj Das made sincere efforts to make the workshop possible.
The workshop concluded with a Q&A session and discussion between forest officials/field staff and the Aaranyak resource team on various aspects covered in the training workshop and lessons learned.
Aaranyak and the Goalpara Forest Division have been working closely to implement an HEC mitigation program under the division through community participation by adopting Aaranyak’s successful model of low-cost, single-strand solar-powered fences supported by angular posts.
