Guwahati: Biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, with support from the SBI Foundation, has launched a programme in Udalguri district of Assam to promote alternative crops aimed at reducing human-elephant conflict (HEC). The initiative seeks to provide livelihood security to farmers while discouraging elephant depredation in vulnerable areas.
As part of the programme, Aaranyak distributed 310 Assam lemon saplings to a household in No. 2 Tankibasti on 1 September. The saplings will be planted across four bighas of land to serve as a bio-fence around an areca nut plantation. According to the organisation, lemon plants provide farmers with an additional source of income and act as a natural deterrent to elephants.
On 8 September, Aaranyak continued the initiative in No. 2 Bamunjuli by distributing 6.5 kilograms of mustard seeds for cultivation across five bighas of land. Mustard, being less attractive to elephants than paddy, is expected to reduce crop damage while ensuring sustainable income for farming families.
Udalguri has long been one of Assam’s most affected districts in terms of human-elephant conflict, with frequent raids on paddy fields during the harvest season leading to significant economic losses for households.
Aaranyak said its interventions are designed to develop elephant-resilient farming systems that safeguard crops, support rural livelihoods and encourage coexistence between communities and elephants.
The field implementation of the initiative in Udalguri was carried out by Aaranyak’s team, comprising Abhijit Saikia, Mondeep Basumatari, Dipankar Haloi, Bistirna Burhagohain, Bikash Tossa and Pradip Barman.
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