Baksa villagers trained to use HaatiApp for safer coexistence with elephants

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 8, 2025

In an effort to reduce human-elephant conflict (HEC) in Assam’s Baksa district, biodiversity conservation organization Aaranyak, with support from the SBI Foundation, recently held two outreach sessions in Uttar Subankhata and Bandwguri to introduce and demonstrate the use of HaatiApp, a mobile application designed to track and manage elephant movements.

The innovative app allows users to report elephant sightings, document conflict incidents, and receive real-time alerts about nearby elephant activity. This timely information empowers local residents to take early precautions, helping to prevent dangerous encounters and ensure safer coexistence with wild elephants.

Fifty-one community members participated in the events, gaining hands-on experience with the app and learning how it can complement traditional methods of managing elephant interactions. The sessions also included demonstrations of HEC mitigation toolkits, with practical guidance on how to safeguard crops, homes, and lives while minimizing harm to the elephants.

Facilitated by Aaranyak’s team—Abhijit Saikia, Mondeep Basumatari, Jiban Chetry, and Pradip Barman—the events emphasized the importance of blending technology with local knowledge. The interactive format encouraged community engagement and underscored the shared goal of peaceful human-elephant coexistence.

These outreach efforts form part of Aaranyak’s broader initiative to address HEC in vulnerable regions through education, innovation, and collaboration.