BSF personnel on Indo-Bangladesh border trained to combat wildlife crimes and human-elephant conflict

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 12, 2025

In a bid to strengthen wildlife conservation and curb illegal wildlife trade along the Indo-Bangladesh border, the Meghalaya Forest and Environment Department, in collaboration with the Border Security Force (BSF), organized a sensitization workshop on ‘Wildlife Crimes and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972’ for BSF personnel deployed in the region.

Held on February 7 at Kilapara (Dalu) BSF camp, the workshop aimed to equip BSF personnel with crucial knowledge on handling human-elephant conflict (HEC) and tackling wildlife crimes. The region is a hotspot for elephant movement, often leading to encounters between security forces and the animals.

Hiten K. Baishya, Deputy Head of the Elephant Research and Conservation Division (ERCD) at Aaranyak, led a session on elephant behaviour and conservation strategies. He emphasized the importance of staying alert in elephant-prone areas and shared practical, low-tech methods to minimize conflicts.

His discussion encouraged BSF personnel to adopt preventive measures and act as wildlife guardians, strengthening conservation efforts alongside the Meghalaya Forest Department and NGOs in the region.

On the legal front, Ajoy Kumar Das, Senior Law Consultant of the Legal and Advocacy Division (LAD) and a practising advocate at Gauhati High Court, provided insights into the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and cross-border wildlife offences.

He highlighted the links between the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Border Security Force Act, 1968, underscoring the role of BSF personnel in enforcing wildlife laws. Das also explained Section 139(1) of the BSF Act, 1968, which empowers BSF officers in tackling wildlife crimes.

The workshop was attended by Inspector Simaha Chalam, Sub-Inspector Bhoora Singh of the BSF, and S.B. Marak, Range Forest Officer of the East & West Garo Hills Wildlife Division, among others. Their participation reaffirmed a shared commitment to combating wildlife crime while safeguarding national security.

With the Garo Hills region being a critical zone for human-wildlife interactions and illegal trade, BSF personnel are now better prepared to handle HEC situations and wildlife law enforcement. This initiative reinforces the vital role of security forces in protecting India’s rich biodiversity, ensuring that national borders remain secure not just from external threats but also from environmental and wildlife-related challenges.