In May 2019, Asian Elephant Support assisted in funding a project: Mitigation of “Human-Elephant Conflicts” by training and implementation of low-cost crop-guarding methods in Southern West Bengal, India. Samya Basu, Principal Researcher and Coordinator for Asian Elephant Conservation Foundation, provided us with a midterm report in December to share.
Since 2013 the population of elephants in the study area of Mayurjharna Elephant Reserve (~415 square kilometers /102,000 acres) has increased by more than 69%. While the total number of elephants in the area accounts for less than 20% of the entire population in the state, claims for damages in the area account for more than 50-55% of total claims in West Bengal. In August of 2018, traditional means of driving away crop-raiding elephants with which forest agencies would assist, such as the use of firecrackers and torches, were banned by the Supreme Court of India, making it harder for villagers to deter marauding elephants and avoid the retaliatory killing of elephants.When initially presented to Asian Elephant Support, this Project’s goals were to:
Mitigate Human-Elephant “Conflict” and engage local community to secure a safe and free passage for elephant herds in entire home range.
Introduce low-cost crop-guarding methods to mitigate human-elephant hostility through capacity building and implementation to minimize the crop depredation by elephants.
Maintain “0” retaliatory killing of elephants like last 2 years.
Since the funding of the Project, Mr. Basu and his colleagues have begun work on reviewing and updating the “Elephant Distribution Map” as crop-raiding patterns in the study zone have changed. They are coordinating seminars/workshops to educate local communities and hosting photography, painting and literature competitions in affected areas to build awareness and develop conservation-friendly attitudes.
Training programs on modern agricultural practices and the farming of unpalatable crops to elephants has also been implemented, alongside training on the installation of low-cost guarding systems to protect crops and homes. The designing of a booklet on alternative agricultural practices and guard systems is also in development and an attitudinal survey to understand the Project’s impacts is also underway.
We at Asian Elephant Support are excited to receive the final report in the next six months with the findings, observations and outcomes, as well as recommendations that are developed as a result of this important study. We wish to thank, Mr. Basu and the Asian Elephant Conservation Foundation as well as our own generous supporters for contributing to this important, life-saving work.