With the elephant menace in several villages under Teliamura in Tripura remaining unabated, the Forest department of the State has come up with ‘innovative’ strategies using Bamboo to minimise the man-animal conflicts. Besides, the plan will also provide a livelihood to the villagers who are dependent on agriculture.
On June 9, with the initiative of the Forest department, meetings were held at three locations – Madhya Krishnapur, Uttar Krishnapur, and Chakmaghat under the Teliamura sub-division. Representatives from fourteen panchayats which are ‘elephant-attack-affected’ took part in the meetings to discuss innovative strategies of the Forest Department.
The strategies were revealed and explained by key officials, including Axay Balu Vordhe, the District Forest Officer of Khowai, Sabir Kanti Das, the Divisional Forest Officer of Teliamura, and Ranjit Sarkar, a member of Khowai Zilla Parishad.
The primary focus of the meeting was to unveil the Forest Department’s strategies in detail that promise to effectively mitigate the growing conflict between humans and elephants in the region.
Addressing the attendees, Sabir Kanti Das expressed deep concern over the frequent incursions of elephants into fourteen panchayat areas, spanning from Chakmaghat to Ghilatali, in search of food.
These intrusions have resulted in substantial property damage, necessitating urgent action. Das emphasized the destructive consequences of deforestation, which has contributed significantly to the escalating number of elephant attacks.
To address this critical issue, the Forest Department has devised an ambitious plan that centres on planting Thorny Bamboo trees along the vulnerable region, stretching from Chakmaghat to Ghilatali. This innovative approach aims to plant a triple-layered boundary of bamboo trees, complemented by the excavation of trenches and the installation of solar fencing in strategic areas.
The implementation of this project not only holds the potential to mitigate human-elephant conflict but also presents a unique opportunity to generate employment for the local population through the Rural Employment Guarantee Act (REGA). The cultivation and maintenance of the Thorny Bamboo trees will require manpower which will foster economic growth and stability within the community.
Ranjit Sarkar, a member of the Khowai Zilla Parishad, expressed enthusiasm and optimism about the Forest Department’s groundbreaking plan. Sarkar recognized the far-reaching benefits it would bring to the affected residents, underscoring the importance of successful execution.
Additionally, he urged the Forest Department to increase the deployment of volunteers to monitor the movement of elephants actively, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of both humans and animals.
For over two decades, the Teliamura sub-division has grappled with the persistent challenge of human-elephant conflict forcing the locals to resort to agitations several times, urging the administration to seek a permanent solution.
Sabir Kanti Das, the sub-divisional forest officer, revealed that the area is currently home to 22 elephants, as documented in the 2019 census. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for immediate and decisive action to prevent further loss of life, both human and animal.