Assam: How did Udalguri emerge as a hotspot for human-elephant clashes?

Guwahati: A comprehensive 13-year study has shed new light on the intensifying human-elephant conflict (HEC) in Assam’s Udalguri district, revealing significant seasonal trends, rising fatalities, and the critical need for corridor protection in one of India’s most vital elephant landscapes.

The study, published in the Journal of Wildlife Science, offers one of the most comprehensive spatio-temporal analyses of HEC in Northeast India.

In Udalguri district,  the increase in human activities near forest areas has intensified HEC, posing significant challenges for conservation efforts and local communities. The district includes parts of the Tiger Reserve, which serves as a corridor for elephants.

Titled “Living on the Edge: Assessing Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Human-Elephant Interactions in Udalguri, Assam,” the authors are affiliated with the Wildlife Institute of India, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (ACSIR), and the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology. The research was funded by the MoEFCC’s Project Elephant and Tiger Division.

Covering 13 years from 2011 to 2024, the study documents 221 human casualties, including 144 deaths and 77 injuries, and 96 elephant deaths, with 14.5% attributed to electrocution. Male humans and elephants were disproportionately affected, and most incidents occurred outside protected areas, particularly near Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary (BWLS) and Khalingduar Reserve Forest (KRF). Udalguri is a diverse mosaic of agricultural fields, tea estates, forest tracts, and riverine zones.

Conflict intensity peaked during the monsoon (June–August) and post-monsoon (September–November) seasons. Researchers used Generalised Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) to reveal statistically significant associations between conflict and variables such as season, crop type, and sex. Notably, human casualties were significantly lower in winter and pre-monsoon months, providing opportunities for targeted interventions during these low-conflict windows.

The study recorded 1,171 crop-raiding incidents, with paddy fields accounting for over 90% of all cases. Elephants also target arecanut plantations, tea estates, and home gardens. Although elephants do not feed on tea plants, tea estates emerged as high-risk zones due to their proximity to forest edges and role as temporary shelters or movement corridors.

Using habitat selection models, the authors found a strong preference for paddy fields and tea estates, with Manly’s index confirming active selection of these land types. Seasonal data showed that post-monsoon periods experienced the highest number of crop raids, closely followed by the monsoon.

In terms of property damage, 2,984 incidents were recorded over the study period. These included 2,886 houses, 44 grocery shops, and 35 community structures, often located in settlements bordering forests. Spatial analysis using kernel density estimators mapped clear conflict hotspots in areas dominated by tea and paddy cultivation adjacent to BWLS and KRF.

Out of the 96 elephant deaths, 21 were caused by human actions, including electrocution and poisoning. Males and sub-adults were more vulnerable, often moving solo and traversing greater distances, increasing exposure to conflict-prone zones. Most deaths occurred in the post-monsoon season.

“The study showed that areas adjacent to forest areas dominated by paddy fields and tea estates, particularly near BWLS and KRF, are hotspots of HEC”, the authors state.

 “Restoring corridors can help link fragmented habitats, reducing the pressure on elephants to venture into human-dominated landscapes. By creating safe passage routes and managing edge effects, it is possible to minimise encounters between elephants and humans, thereby reducing HEC incidents,” they add.

 Udalguri, located along the India-Bhutan border, lies within a crucial transboundary elephant movement zone, making international cooperation essential. The authors call for seasonally adaptive management, early warning systems, and cross-border coordination to mitigate HEC.

“Our observations indicate that elephant mortality is significantly linked to human activities such as electrocution and poisoning. Addressing these issues through the retrofitting of electrical infrastructure and stricter regulation of toxic substances near elephant habitats can help decrease unintended fatalities. Long-term monitoring, combined with local knowledge, is essential for developing practical, site-specific conservation strategies,” the authors say.

The authors state that effective management of HEC requires coordinated efforts among forest departments, local communities, and conservation organisations.

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