Help Save Elephants in India

In continuation with our sensitization work in the Terai landscape in North-Western Bengal, our Green Corridor Champion Mr.Avijan with the support of Wildlife Trust of India and our generous Global Giving donors conducted interactive sessions in Chenga,Panighatta area to address human-elephant conflict.

Panighatta region being the main route for elephants to move between Mahananda Wildlife sanctuary and Kolabari coridors, the limited interference of human in the tea gardens of Panighatta in the past had attracted some good wildlife like elephants, leopards to become residents. However, the sudden increase in tea garden activity recently in this region had led to several conflict issues and casualities. The regular monitoring of Mr.Avijan helped identify two resident elephant bulls that were frequently sighted and the root cause for conflict. So he decided to address the local communities of Panighata and Chenga on elephants and conflict situations

Despite the remote location of their villages and difficulty in commuting, over thirty-five individuals voluntarily attended the workshop in Panighata community Hall. Avijan, being a renowned photographer in the region, with the help of his expressive photographs and short video clips conveyed the story of elephants in Panighata and the situation of conflict today in the region. Avijan had an hour long slideshow and in detail narrated the story of the two resident bulls -where they came from, the importance of the elephant corridors and the current apathy amongst the residents. This interaction created a sense of empathy amongst the partcipants, and the desire to learn more about these elephant groups, their identification and how they can help avoid conflict situations in future. His social message was made clear that the absence of street lights, open defecation practices and most importantly the lack of communication amongst villages had to be addressed at the earliest. The movement or any sighting of elephants by the people of Panighata had to be communicated to nearby villages like Chenga, but the community lacked this responsibility. He encouraged the youth and elders in creating a network to monitor elephant movement and pass on the message to their neighbours.

Avijan has created messengers in Panighat to help pass on information and thereby working towards reducing conflict in this area. More such activities are in order in the landscape and shall be reported in the subsequent reports. It is only due to your small contributions that we are able to take such initiatives in the remotest of places. Thankyou once again.

Please Note: Avijan has permitted us to use his name in the report.