Guwahati, Dec 20: In a significant step toward reducing human–elephant conflict (HEC) along the Assam–Meghalaya boundary, biodiversity organisation Aaranyak, in collaboration with the Krishnai Forest Range in Goalpara, organised a cross-border awareness programme at Ketekibari village recently.
The village cluster — Ketekibari, Chaplengkata, Thakurbila and Borjhora — straddles the border between Assam’s Goalpara district and Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills. Home to Rabha and Garo communities, residents here have been grappling with escalating elephant depredation for years, leading to crop loss, property damage and rising tensions.
About 50 participants from both states — including Nokmas, Gaon Burhas, farmers and forest officials — took part in the meeting, which aimed to strengthen grassroots coordination and build long-term coexistence strategies.
Officials from Aaranyak and Krishnai Forest Range explained practical mitigation tools, safety measures and the importance of coordinated response during elephant movement. Community members openly shared their experiences, concerns and expectations. Many from the Meghalaya side highlighted gaps in access to mitigation tools, while villagers on the Assam side requested additional lights and equipment to improve night-time monitoring.
Despite the challenges, the gathering ended on a rare note of consensus. Participants agreed to jointly form an Elephant Conservation Network (ECN) comprising community members from both states.
It was also resolved that villagers would assist whichever forest patrolling team arrives first during conflict situations, irrespective of state jurisdiction, and that communities on both sides would support each other during night patrolling to safely guide elephants away from settlements.
Forest teams from the two states further committed to extending assistance to all affected villagers across the border whenever needed.
The meeting saw active participation from the Krishnai Forest Range team led by Dy Ranger Rajib Kataki, and Aaranyak members including Anjan Baruah and Subhas Ch. Rabha, who moderated the event.
With elephant habitats shrinking across the region, HEC incidents have risen sharply along inter-state border zones.
Conservationists believe cross-border initiatives like this one could be critical to easing pressure on frontline communities and reducing risks for both people and elephants.
The programme was hosted as part of Aaranyak’s larger effort to strengthen coexistence frameworks in conflict-prone landscapes.
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