Guwahati, Dec 30: The community-driven initiative, introduced in collaboration with conservation organization Aranyak, aims to protect both human lives and wildlife by reducing instances of animals straying into human settlements.
The Forest Department and Aranyak have established 13 Anti-Depredation Squads (ADS), comprised of local villagers, including farmers directly impacted by wildlife activity. These squads are tasked with safeguarding farmlands and ensuring humane handling of wildlife encounters.
“Due to the rising human-animal conflict in Assam, the forest department has taken this step with Aranyak to mitigate the issue. Community participation is essential, so we’ve involved villagers facing these challenges daily,” said Pranjal Baruah, Forest Range Officer of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.
At a training session held at the sanctuary’s interpretation hall, squad members learned self-defense techniques and strategies for managing encounters with animals like buffaloes, rhinos, wild boars, and jackals. They were also educated about animal behavior, enabling them to guide straying wildlife safely back to the forest.
Assam has witnessed a surge in human-animal conflicts, particularly involving elephants, with over 70 people and 80 elephants dying annually due to such incidents. Loss of habitat from human activities remains the primary driver of these tragic encounters.
The anti-depredation squads mark a significant step toward fostering coexistence, empowering local communities, and preserving Assam’s unique biodiversity.
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