Dibrugarh: An interactive meeting was conducted by the Deomali Forest Department to deliberate on possible solutions to the rising human-elephant conflict in Arunachal Pradesh’s Deomali sub-division.
The conflict has been a major issue for several decades, as the area has long been a frequent habitat for elephants.
The meeting was presided over by members of the Regional Action Plan Committee for Mitigating Human–Elephant Conflict in the North East Region, led by Chairman B. S. Bonal, Retd. PCCF & HoFF, Assam.
Other dignitaries present included P. R. Marak, Retd. CCF, Meghalaya; Dr. Tajum Yumcha, Research Officer, PCCF (WL & BD), Arunachal Pradesh; A. K. Deka, CCF, Deomali; and former Deomali ZPM Wangphoon Lowang.
During the interaction, participants discussed the problems faced by farmers and the general public due to frequent elephant incursions in the Deomali area. The public strongly highlighted the urgent need for effective preventive measures.
Primary demands raised included the installation of solar fencing around agricultural lands and elephant corridors, solar street lights in elephant-affected villages, and the establishment of an Elephant Protection Force.
The meeting was attended by Chiefs, Gaon Burahs (GBs), PRI members, local public leaders, and residents of the Deomali area. Representatives from the NGO Hinthong Foundation, led by Chajo Lowang and her team, were also present.
Recently, several people were trampled to death by wild elephants in the Deomali area. Last year, former MLA Kapchen Rajkumar was trampled to death by a wild elephant while on a morning walk from Deomali to Namsang village in Tirap district.
He had served as the MLA from Khonsa North Assembly Constituency from 1975 to 1990.