Guwahati, July 29: A 3-km solar-powered community-operated solar fence was installed at human elephant conflict (HEC) affected Rangatari village having 60 households, under Lakhipur Forest Range of Goalpara Forest Division of Assam for facilitating coexistence.
The solar fence was installed and put into operation on July 25 last in a collaborative mode by Assam Forest Department, premier biodiversity conservation organization Aaranyak and the local village-level committee under the sponsorship of the Goalpara Forest Division Solar Fence Project.
The residents of Rangatari village belong to indigenous Bodo community and 90% of the villagers depend on agriculture for livelihood. The villagers have been facing a serious HEC problem for a long time. The local farmers have been losing crops, properties even human lives too due to HEC. The solar fence has covered all the 60 HH and secured a population of around 312 in the village.
The Range Officer Dharmendra Das of Lakhipur Range inaugurated the fence formally by cutting a red ribbon. Later, in a formal inauguration meeting held at Rangatari Kali temple campus where the solar fence was handed over to the Rangatari local community and an MoU was signed between the Local committee, Forest department and Aaranyak.
Around 30 local villagers participated in that meeting that was initiated by ECN member and Solar fence committee secretary Bijoy Boro and presided over by Ripunjoy Basumatary, Gaon Burah of the village.
Range Officer Dharmendra Das spoke on the HEC issue and the effect of the solar fence mentioning about the responsibility of the local villagers to establish coexistence between human and elephant. He also mentioned about importance of tree plantation and restoration of animal habitat. He suggested for massive awareness campaign for the coexistence with elephant.
Aaranyak’s solar fence expert and Assistant Manager Anjan Baruah underlined the effectiveness of solar fence, responsibilities of community to maintain the fence and some dos and don’ts for management of the fence.
He also suggested for strengthening activities of ECN (Elephant Conservation Network) for information sharing with villagers to reduce HEC.