GUWAHATI: In a significant step to mitigate the problem of human-animal conflict, 15 anti-depredation squads of the Assam forest department were launched here on Thursday.
The squads, which were launched by chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal in a ceremony at Assam Administrative Staff College, would be stationed across 15 major human-wildlife conflict districts in the state. They will be equipped with all logistics required for mitigating the conflict.
Currently 150 (12 bore) pump action guns and 15,000 rounds of rubber bullet ammunition will be at the disposal of the squads.
As it is, the state forest department has engaged trained 50 frontline staff to handle conflict situations. Hundred more staff will be trained in the coming days.
According to sources at Aaranyak, a leading wildlife and biodiversity conservation organisation of the North East, as many as 12 elephants have died in conflict situations in the state during October 14 and November 14, 2019. Every year, over 100 elephants die in the region. Likewise, human lives have also been lost in the conflict.
Speaking at the programme, Sonowal said, “Loss of lives of both humans and animals is unwarranted and the squads must spread awareness about avoiding man-animal conflicts. Peaceful coexistence is a must for man and animals and squads would be a great addition to the forest department in order to reduce casualties in conflict situations.
He emphasised the need to bring the casualties to zero by completely reducing man-animal conflict situations and urged the people of the state to cooperate with squads in spreading awareness about animal behaviour.
The chief minister also distributed weapons and equipment among the squads at programme.
