Agartala: The Forest Department of Tripura is exploring innovative strategies such as the implementation of bio-fencing around human settlements and the installation of radio collars to mitigate the persistent issue of human-elephant conflict in various parts of Tripura’s Khowai district, as stated by a senior forest department official.
The department’s focus has shifted to addressing the challenges posed by a solitary wild elephant named “Moti,” notorious for disrupting human settlements near forests, which have encroached upon the traditional territories of wild tuskers.
To ensure the successful implementation of radio collaring, the forest department has enlisted the expertise of Dr. Koshal Konwar Sarma, widely recognized as the “elephant doctor” from Assam. A collaborative effort involving Dr. Sarma, Chief Wildlife Warden RK Shyamal, and other senior officials has been initiated to radio collar the male wild elephant, enabling real-time tracking of its movements and facilitating the activation of early warning systems in the future.
Dr. Sarma emphasised that while radio collaring serves as a scientific tool to monitor elephant movements, it is not a definitive solution. He advocated for the adoption of natural methods such as bio-fencing, suggesting the cultivation of citrus lemon plants around human settlements. This approach leverages elephants’ natural aversion to thorns, thereby deterring them from venturing into populated areas.
Chief Wildlife Warden RK Shyamal addressed concerns raised by villagers regarding crop destruction and property damage caused by elephants, noting the lack of evidence to substantiate claims of attacks on humans. He outlined the forest department’s strategy, which entails tracking elephant movements via radio collars and deploying deterrent measures, such as the use of crackers, to divert them away from human habitation.
Shyamal highlighted the importance of preserving elephants’ natural food sources within forests to prevent them from straying into populated areas, underscoring the need for a holistic approach to mitigating human-elephant conflict.
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