Shillong: An awareness camp on Asian elephants was organised by the Meghalaya Forest Department and Aaranyak. The event was aimed at making the personnel of the Border Security Forces aware. Especially those deployed along the India-Bangladesh border in Garo Hills.
The BSF personnel posted in the region patrol the international borders. They often encounter Asian elephants, which sometimes enter into conflicts with humans. In view of such events, BSF invited the Meghalaya Forest Department to share some insight into the matter. The idea was to generate awareness of elephant behaviour and possible coexistence. The sensitisation event was undertaken on Friday 16 for the 1st Battalion of BSF. They are stationed at Mahadeo in the South Garo Hills of Meghalaya.
Abhijit Boruah delivered a lecture on ‘Encountering the giants: understanding elephant behaviours’. And Anushka Saikia talked about ‘From human-elephant conflict to coexistence’. Sanjay Singh, Deputy Commandant of the battalion participated in the awareness camp. 35 of his jawans were also present for the same. Chinchin Sangma, Forest Range Officer Baghmara and Skilson D Marak Officer in Charge of Siju Wildlife Sanctuary also attended the event. 17 frontline workers of the forest department were also present.
It can be mentioned that this awareness camp was part of the ongoing sensitisation series in the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya. Earlier, on January 22, another similar sensitisation workshop was conducted for the 50th Battalion of the BSF in the South West Garo Hills district. The next sensitisation workshop is scheduled for February 19 for the 100th Battalion of the BSF in Dalu of East and West Garo Hills.
It is important to note that the Human-Elephant Conflict is a major problem in the entire region. The problem increases manifold when the elephants come out of the forest areas in search of food. These initiatives can definitely go a long way to prevent such incidents in future.
