Awareness programme on human-elephant conflict held near Raimona National Park

KOKRAJHAR, July 11, 2026 — A one-day awareness programme on preventing human-elephant conflict was organised at Thaisoguri Forest Rights Act (FRA) village under the Sanfan Range of the Kachugaon Forest Division on Friday, bringing together forest officials, wildlife experts, security personnel and local communities to promote coexistence between people and wildlife.

The programme focused on encouraging greater harmony between forest-fringe villages and wildlife, particularly elephants, in areas surrounding the Raimona National Park.

The event was inaugurated by Dr Sonali Ghosh, IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Addl PCCF) and Council Head of Department (CHD), Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), who attended as the chief guest.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Ghosh underscored the crucial role of local communities in wildlife conservation and urged residents to adopt safe practices that minimise encounters with elephants. She said elephants are an integral part of the region's forest ecosystem and stressed that maintaining ecological balance requires close cooperation between the Forest Department and local communities. She also acknowledged the continued support of villages surrounding Raimona National Park in conserving its rich biodiversity.

Among those present were Dr Kameswar Das, Chief Scientist, Zonal Research Station, Gossaigaon, Assam Agricultural University; Porna Sharma, Senior Scientist and Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Gossaigaon; Major Pratap Singh Rathore of the 135 Ecological Task Force, Bishmuri; Mustafa Ali Ahmed, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Kachugaon Forest Division; and Jeet Singh, Second-in-Command of the 31 Battalion, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Telipara. Forest officials, Territorial Army personnel, SSB representatives and community leaders also attended the programme.

Experts shared practical measures to reduce human-elephant conflict, including strengthening early warning systems, protecting agricultural fields, preserving traditional elephant corridors from encroachment and increasing awareness among residents of forest-fringe villages.

Speakers emphasised that coordinated efforts by government agencies, local organisations and village communities are essential to safeguard both people and wildlife. Villagers were also advised to immediately inform the Forest Department whenever elephant movement is detected near human settlements.

Residents of Thaisoguri and neighbouring villages actively participated in the discussions, sharing their experiences of crop damage and property loss caused by elephants while seeking practical and long-term solutions to the recurring conflict.