9.3 km solar fence handed over to community in Ujani Majuli to mitigate human-elephant conflict

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 14, 2024

As part of the Wildlife Week celebration, a solar-powered fence extending over 9 kilometers, designed to protect cropland and mitigate human-elephant conflict (HEC), was officially handed over to the community-oriented solar fence management committee in the HEC-affected Ujani Majuli area of Assam.

The event, held on October 5 at Gazera Rangamancha in Ujani Majuli, was jointly organized by Aaranyak, the Majuli Forest Division, and partners including Science for Social Welfare, Poribesh Bondhu, DONY Green Foundation, and WWF-India.

This initiative is part of Aaranyak’s and the British Asian Trust’s efforts, supported by the Darwin Initiative, to promote coexistence between humans and wildlife. During the event, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Joyram Baruah encouraged the younger generation to actively engage in wildlife conservation. Aaranyak’s Rimpee Moran used an audio-visual presentation to discuss human-wildlife coexistence with local villagers, while Rubul Tanti provided practical guidance on using the “Haati App.” This app allows villagers to document human-elephant conflict incidents and claim ex-gratia compensation for damage to lives and property caused by such conflicts.

The handover ceremony was further enlivened with a “water glass on head challenge,” a fun activity involving 24 women from the local community. The solar fence, measuring approximately 9.3 kilometres and designed to protect croplands from human-elephant conflict (HEC), was formally transferred to the Solar Fence Management Committee in the presence of forest officials, a member of the Zilla Parishad Committee, and the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) team. This was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The event also included the distribution of a handbook on solar fencing, a tree plantation drive, and further distribution of plants to the community. A total of 67 participants, including eight forest officials, attended the event.

Prominent guest Renumala Dutta, a well-known social worker, spoke on the significance of habitat restoration, while Jayanta Madhab Kalita from Science for Social Welfare highlighted the crucial role of biodiversity conservation for human well-being. Aaranyak’s team, consisting of Zakir Islam Bora, Rubul Tanti, Rimpee Moran, Pranjit Borah, Junak Baruah, Diganta Saikia, Jiaur Rahman, and village champions Lambudar Gayan, Utpal Pegu, and Piju Doley, facilitated the program. The day ended on a positive note, with a collective commitment to wildlife conservation and the sustainable management of resources.