Guwahati, Aug 29: Communities living along the Assam-Meghalaya border feel that without cross-border coordination, conflict mitigation will remain piecemeal.
Residents on both sides stressed that elephants traverse freely across Assam and Meghalaya, and efforts must be made to protect them.
They have urged the Forest Departments of both states to launch joint patrolling teams to tackle the rising human-elephant conflict (HEC) in the region.
The demand came during an awareness-cum-community interaction programme held on August 25 at Lahapara, a village on the Assam-Meghalaya boundary where residents from both states have long faced crop raids, property damage, and safety risks due to frequent elephant movement.
The programme was organised by biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, in partnership with the Lakhipur Forest Range in Goalpara, Assam, and the West Garo Hills Wildlife Range in Meghalaya, with support from the Darwin Initiative, the British Asian Trust, and the Goalpara Forest Division.
Over 90 villagers, including 40 women, attended the event along with officials and conservationists. Key suggestions that emerged included installing solar street lights, building watchtowers, strengthening solar fencing, and most importantly, forming joint Assam-Meghalaya patrolling teams to improve elephant protection and mitigate conflict.
“Understanding elephant movement areas and avoiding mono-crop practices are crucial for reducing conflict,” said Dharmendra Das, Range Officer of Lakhipur Forest Range. He stressed the importance of community support in conservation.
Oshim B. Sangma, Forester-I of West Garo Hills Forest, highlighted ongoing HEC mitigation measures along the border and assured that more initiatives were being planned.
From the community side, Sanjib Rabha, Village Head of Khokapara (Meghalaya), urged greater collaboration. “We want the Meghalaya Forest Department to work hand in hand with villagers and the Assam Forest Department. A dedicated team and a watchtower are urgently needed to protect elephants and our livelihoods,” he said.
Other villagers, including Norway Rabha from Belguri (Meghalaya) and Nripen Rabha from Batapara (Assam), echoed the call for joint patrolling and infrastructure support.
Aaranyak’s Anjan Baruah explained elephant behaviour and practical mitigation steps, offering villagers dos and don’ts to minimise conflict. “Coexistence is possible if communities and forest officials work together with scientific mitigation measures,” he noted.
Community leaders such as Madhuram Rabha, former Executive Member of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council, and Aswini Basumatary, President of Pukhuripara GP, lauded Aaranyak’s role in bridging the gap between forest officials and villagers.
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