Goalpara: A high-level inter-departmental meeting was held on December 9 at the District Commissioner’s Office, Goalpara, to address the growing incidents of human–elephant conflict (HEC) in the district. Organised by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in collaboration with the Office of the DC, the meeting was chaired by District Commissioner Prodip Timung.
Key officials, including Tejas Mariswami, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer; Nikhamoni Kalita, Assistant Commissioner; representatives from DDMA, various government departments, conservation group Aaranyak, and local NGOs participated.
DC Timung stressed the need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to mitigate rising conflict. The meeting reviewed elephant movement routes and decided to begin scientific mapping and regular updating of elephant corridors. An Integrated District Elephant Corridor Map will also be developed to guide sustainable land-use planning.
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Aaranyak’s Anjan Baruah highlighted increasing HEC cases and shared ongoing community-based mitigation efforts. The forum recommended expanding elephant-deterrent plantations, promoting beehive and bio-fencing, and strengthening community awareness, early-warning systems, and youth engagement.
Other key measures include bolstering Rapid Response Teams, enhancing night patrolling, and improving departmental coordination. DC Timung reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to ensuring both human safety and elephant conservation through collective action.
