Aaranyak Collaborates with BSF to Safeguard Elephants on Indo-Bangla Border

Aaranyak, a biodiversity conservation non-profit, conducted a sensitization program for BSF personnel on managing wild elephant encounters at the Indo-Bangla border. The initiative, held at Khilapara Border Outpost, aimed to reduce human-elephant conflict and promote coexistence using insights from elephant ecology and behavior studies.

Aaranyak, a premier research-driven non-profit organization focused on biodiversity conservation, has initiated a sensitization program for Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stationed at the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya's Garo Hills. The goal is to help BSF personnel manage encounters with wild elephants during their duties at the international border.

The program, conducted at Khilapara Border Outpost on Monday, featured experts from Aaranyak's Elephant Research and Conservation Division (ERCD) and the Meghalaya Forest Department. Around 100 BSF personnel from the 100th and 22nd Battalions attended, along with Deputy Commandants JS Bhati and Sunderer, and Tura Wildlife Division's Forest Range Officer S B Marak.

Dr. Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar led the session, outlining Aaranyak's conservation efforts and strategies to mitigate human-elephant conflict. Presentations from Hiten Baishya and Abhijit Baruah covered Asian elephants' ecology, behavior, and conservation, equipping BSF personnel with knowledge to prevent confrontations.

BSF officials expressed gratitude towards Aaranyak for their proactive support. The initiative underscores the importance of respecting elephant movements, aligning with the Convention of Migratory Species. Aaranyak continues its efforts in collaboration with local communities and government agencies in Assam and Meghalaya, promoting coexistence to protect the Asian elephant.

(With inputs from agencies.)