Guwahati: A 1.2-kilometre-long and single-wire solar-powered fence to restrict movements of wild elephants was made operational in Borogopal Part 3 village in the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya on Tuesday to facilitate the coexistence of villagers with wild elephants.
The fence was formally inaugurated by Belenda Stuwart Cox of British Asian Trust, UK, in the presence of representatives from the Forest Department of Meghalaya, Auro Saswat of British Asian Trust from Pondicherry, Aaranyak’s senior conservation scientist Dr. Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar, wildlife biologist Alolika Sinha, and representatives from the Forest Department of Meghalaya.
The event was organised by biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, the local community of Borogobal, and the Borogobal Solar Fence Management Committee. Around 70 people, including the women of Borogobal village, attended the inauguration programme, reflecting the enthusiasm generated by the fence among the villagers who hope that lives and property would now be secured by the fence from herds of wild elephants roaming around in the area.
The fence was installed by Aaranyak and British Asian Trust with support from the Darwin Initiative (UK Aid). The fence was handed over to the local community and the fencing committee after signing a MoU among the fencing committee, villagers, and Aaranyak at that meeting.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
Belenda explained the roles and responsibilities of the community in maintaining the fence. Some children from the village performed Rabha traditional dance in front of the guests to mark the occasion. The villagers felicitated the officials of the British Asian Trust and the Aaranyak team with the traditional Rabha Pajar and treated them to a sumptuous traditional lunch.
The Aaranyak team, comprising Anjan Baruah, Nipul Chakma, Subhas Rabha, Ripunjoy Nath, Rupam Gayary, and Bijoy Kalita, the village champion Naveen Rabha of that village, the RRU members from Hatogaon and Borogobal, and the members of the fencing committee and the livelihood beneficiaries of Borogobal facilitated as well as participated in the programme.
Also Read | Assam: Panic in Sonitpur after Russell’s Viper kills teenager