Nahan: Forest Dept initiates measures to mitigate human-elephant conflicts

In a major step towards addressing the rising human-elephant conflict in the region, the Forest Division of Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district, under the leadership of Nahan Circle Conservator of Forests (CF) Vasanth Kiran Babu, conducted a significant outreach and equipment-distribution drive. The initiative was aimed at equipping both forest staff and local communities with tools and knowledge to manage the elephant incursions that have plagued the region in recent years.

Accompanied by Paonta Sahib Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Aishwarya Raj and Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Aditya Sharma, CF Babu distributed safety-equipment kits to field foresters and staff members of the Majra and Girinagar ranges. The kits included essential tools such as airguns, sound guns, camera traps, torches, searchlights, sirens, microphones, trackers and binoculars.

In addition, anti-depredation uniforms were provided to ensure that field staff are well-prepared for their night patrol duties. Local community members, who have been actively assisting the department, were also given the kits, which included torches and educational materials such as ‘dos and don’ts’ boards. These boards provide important guidelines on how to safely coexist with elephants and reduce the chances of dangerous encounters.

Over the past few years, the Paonta Sahib Forest Division has witnessed a notable rise in the movement of elephants from Rajaji National Park into Himachal Pradesh. This migration has led to numerous instances of damage to crops and property, and in some cases, even loss of human life. In response to this, the Paonta Sahib Forest Division, under the guidance of CF Babu, has implemented several measures in line with the centrally sponsored Project Elephant.

Under the project, site-specific interventions have been introduced to mitigate the human-elephant conflict. The Forest Department has emphasised the need for training and preparedness among field staff, equipping them with GPS data collection systems, elephant-profiling techniques and camera traps to make informed decisions about elephant movement and behaviour. CF Babu announced that the state had been included under Central Government’s Project Elephant, a total of Rs 89 lakh had been allocated to the Forest Divisions of Paonta Sahib and Nahan to address and mitigate the human-elephant conflict, he said. In the initial phase, the Centre has released Rs 10 lakh for both divisions.

Besides, the newly installed Early Warning Animal Intrusion Detection and Repellent (ANIDER) systems in the areas of Fandi and Dhaula Kuan were tested during the drive. These areas have become part of an elephant corridor, formed over the last 3-4 years due to the movement of elephants from Rajaji National Park in neighbouring state of Uttarakhand. The ANIDER system is designed to detect the presence of elephants near human habitations and farmlands, and provide alerts through sirens and other mechanisms to deter the animals from entering these areas.

Moreover, the department announced the development of a mobile application that will send SMS alerts to residents when elephants are detected in their vicinity. Furthermore, the authorities are encouraging the engagement of local volunteers as ‘Gaj Mitras’, who will act as intermediaries between the Forest Department and local communities, providing timely information and assisting in elephant-deterrence measures.

Specially designated teams have been deployed for night patrolling to prevent elephants from entering human habitations and croplands. These teams use the newly provided equipment to keep the animals at bay. The ANIDER system installed in Majra and Girinagar ranges provides early warnings of elephant presence, while the SMS-based alert system will soon provide real-time updates to residents in the affected areas.

During their visit to the elephant-prone ranges of Majra and Girinagar, Babu and his team highlighted the crucial role of community participation in these efforts. Engaging local villagers as ‘Gaj Mitras’ is a cornerstone of the department’s strategy. These individuals will act as the first line of defence, reporting elephant sightings to the authorities and helping in the implementation of deterrent measures.