SHILLONG: Meghalaya is only state in the country which records the highest density of elephant per square area. But the challenge is of maintaining the numbers despite all odds such as extension of human activities into elephant habitats.
According to the records present with the Forest department, the density of elephants per square area in the state is the highest in India and it is one of the elephant-rich states in Asia.
As per the General Elephant Census and Project Elephant Census conducted by Meghalaya with the help of Assam, it was found that the population of elephant in areas like Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills has been consistent and has improved over the years. At last count, in 2011 the elephant population was 18,100.
Talking to The Shillong Times, Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) YS Shullai said “We are proud that Meghalaya is known as the richest state in terms of elephant population in the country and probably the whole continent.”
Shullai informed that the various censuses conducted once in two years and four years indicated a consistency in the increase and decrease of elephant population from one year to the next. .
Hinting on the need to acquire more land for the animals to move freely, Shullai said “We need more areas and more corridors for the animal to move freely so that they won’t feel threatened,” adding that if this is addressed, it could prevent the animals from encroaching into human habitats and causing damage.
It may be recalled that in 1992, Project Elephant was introduced by the Union Government for the conservation of elephant habitats and to address the man and elephant conflicts besides augmenting the livelihoods of the local people in the affected areas.
In recent years, Garo Hills was identified for setting up an elephant reserve considering the high density of elephant per square area. As part of Project Elephant, this project in Garo Hills took off and proved to be beneficial both for the animals as well as the local villagers.
“This project not only provides space for the elephants to move freely but also provides livelihood alternatives for the affected villagers by creating jobs like construction and maintenance work,” Shullai said.
Whereas in Khasi Hills, the proposed Khasi Hills Elephant Reserve which comprises an area of about 1825 sq Kms approximately, covering the area of the two districts–West Khasi Hills & South West Khasi Hills District suffered a setback as there is opposition to land acquisition.
For this project, the Union Government shells out money every year and during 2012-2013, Rs 32.025 lakh was sanctioned for this purpose.
This reserve includes the forest areas adjoining Balpakram National Park, areas adjoining East Garo Hills District extending from Nongshram-Nongmise-Nongrathaw-Rongsing-Athiabari in the north, Wah Phodra-Nongmalang-Nongumiang, reserved forests including Kynshi catchment areas in the east, Maheshkhola- areas bordering R.F- Bangladesh in the south, areas adjoining BNP- Riangmaw-Riangdim-Khalu-Bokchung- areas adjoining East Garo Hills District in the west.
In this regard, the Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) has stressed on the need to advertise elephant reserves in West Khasi Hills informing the people about the focus of the scheme. “Villagers have a misconception that the land would be forcefully taken away from them which not true,” Shullai said adding that the land will be used only for the purpose of conserving elephants.
According to him, the recent uprising in West Khasi Hills in view of extension of the project is the result of incitement caused by some coal lobby from among the villagers. “This area identified for elephant reserve is a limestone and coal-rich area and for this very reason the coal lobbies are inciting the villagers to protest so that this project will be stalled,” he said.
He also clarified that when the land is acquired by the government for this purpose, compensation will be paid in various forms including development. “We use the land and in return provide alternatives for the people to earn their livelihood. It is a give and take thing,” Shullai asserted.
Meanwhile, when asked about the threats faced by elephants, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Khasi Hills Division PS Nongbri said that the major threats are Jhum cultivation, Mining and fragmentation of habitat within the elephant areas.
“Dense forest is decreasing due to various human activities thereby having an adverse impact on the habitats of the animal. This has resulted in many man-elephant conflicts,” he said while impressing on the need to spread public awareness.