Karbi village makes way for elephants

Guwahati: Responding to sustained efforts for restoration of a traditional elephants migration corridor in Karbi Anglong hill district of Assam, a tribal village has agreed to shift to a new location nearby.
A source in Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) informed that two global wildlife protection organization including WTI and Elephant Family and forest department of Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council (KAAC) in Assam, 19 tribal families of Ram Terang village in the hill district have agreed to shift to avoid conflicts with elephants.
The villagers will shift to New Ram Terang Village located at a distance of about 6 kilometers and outside the Kalapahar-Daigrung elephant corridor to provide safe passage for elephants.
The New Ram Terang Village which is under construction, was dedicated to the memory of Mark Shand, the Founder of the Elephant Family, well-known for its work for welfare of Asian elephants, on Wednesday.
The colourful ceremony was marked by unveiling of terracotta reliefs dedicated to Mark Shand, the people of Karbi Anglong.
The villagers will formally move into the new houses at the new village during next Christmas. Thanking the villagers for this unique cooperation, Dr Jagdish Kishwan, Advisor to CEO and ED of WTI said, “I am proud and happy that my WTI team and villagers of Ram Terang have worked together and developed such a close relationship based on mutual trust. It will be our endeavour to complete the construction of all houses as quickly as possible.” Overwhelmed by the efforts, inspiration and enthusiasm of people, WTI and forest officials, Ruth Powys, CEO, Elephant Family said, “An entire new village comes to fruition today. We have solved a problem both for elephants and people. Elephant Family is proud to be part of this venture. I can feel that Mark is with us today. Now, every child can play here without danger, and every elephant can move without conflict.”
The Ram Terang village is located in the middle of a natural corridor used by the elephants to move between Kalapahar and Daigrung-Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape.
It took almost five years of continuous efforts by a dedicated team of WTI officials to persuade the villagers of Ram Terang to shift to a new place.