Reported by Mrinal Banik
Agartala: The Forest Department has intensified efforts to reduce human-elephant conflict in parts of Khowai district by introducing multiple preventive measures, including elephant-proof trenches and solar fencing, officials said on Thursday.
District Forest Officer Ashok Kumar said elephant-proof trenches (EPTs) constructed near vulnerable settlements have already shown encouraging results in restricting the movement of wild elephants into inhabited areas.
“After the trenches were created around elephant movement zones, incidents of elephants entering nearby villages have reduced considerably,” Kumar told reporters.
He said the impact was particularly visible in areas such as Bhumiheen Colony and Chakmaghat, where frequent elephant incursions had earlier posed major concerns for residents.
“The trenches are proving to be an effective barrier in keeping elephants away from human settlements,” the official said.
Apart from trenches, the department has also started installing solar-powered fencing in villages considered highly vulnerable to elephant depredation.
“Solar fencing work is currently underway in North Krishnapur and South Maharani areas, which are among the worst-affected zones in terms of elephant movement and crop damage,” Kumar said.
However, he noted that the effectiveness of the solar fencing system is still under observation.
“We have recently introduced this mechanism, and its long-term impact is yet to be assessed,” he added.
The Forest Department has also strengthened field-level monitoring by setting up six anti-depredation camps in sensitive areas across the district.
According to the DFO, volunteers have been deployed at these camps to monitor elephant movement and alert villagers whenever necessary.
“Earlier, the camps were planned as round-the-clock watchtowers. At present, manpower is being mobilised depending on the situation and movement patterns of elephants,” Kumar said.
Tripura’s only elephant corridor is located in Khowai district, where several villages regularly face incidents of crop damage and property loss due to elephant movement.