In 2019, Asian Elephant Support partnered with The Society for Nature and Animal Protection (SNAP) in a community engagement program in North Bengal, India as the emergence of Human-Elephant Conflict in this region has become a significant issue. The migration or foraging of elephants in and around Gorumara National Park, so close to human settlements, has resulted in episodes of crop-raiding, the death of human residents from elephant attacks as well as elephants being killed by humans living in this area as a protection measure.
SNAP developed this particular community engagement project, with three primary objectives in mind. The first goal was to work with the residents in the forest fringe areas of Gorumara National Park to implement an awareness campaign, focusing on the “ecological and cultural value of keystone species of North Bengal”. Awareness and community management programs were started in ten areas to reduce the rate of conflict. Recognizing conservation of species involves caring for the people who live among them; camps were set up for local residents to receive health and eye exams and necessary medicine. An additional part of the community engagement to promote animal protection included the distribution of 150 school bags and study materials.
The second component of SNAP’s goals was the formation of Elephant Squads. In conjunction with the Joint Forest Management committee, six teams were formed. Working with local villagers, they were able to track animals and identify vulnerable areas, developing a route map to reduce Human-Elephant Conflict and assist the Forest Department to control poaching in the forest and know corridors.
The third and final objective was to support the Elephant Squads on night patrols by providing kits to assist with monitoring the area elephants’ activity. 20 head lamps and 40 high-power search lights were provided to the Squads. The Forest Department received four night-vision cameras to manage the movement of herds at night. Additionally, two Bee Sound Amplifiers were provided and the effectiveness of this tool in the reducing incidences of conflict is being monitored.
To date, Forest Department and other officers believe SNAP’s project goals to engage the community and reduce Human-Elephant Conflict have had and will continue to have a positive impact on the coexistence of humans and elephants in the Gorumara National Park area.
Asian Elephant Support is proud to have provided support to The Society for Nature and Animal Protection and the Project Leader, Mr. Sanatan Goswami on this critical effort to work with community members to preserve and protect the elephants of Gorumara National Park and beyond.
