SBI Foundation supports solar streetlights in 15 HEC-affected villages in Assam

Guwahati, July 28: As part of its sustained effort towards mitigating the human-elephant conflict (HEC), premier research-driven biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, with the support of the SBI Foundation, have installed 20 solar-powered streetlights at strategic locations across fifteen villages in Tamulpur, Baksa and Udalguri districts of Assam.
The initiative has been undertaken recently by a field team of Aaranyak involving local communities and members of the Elephant Conservation Network (ECN) comprising grassroots volunteers dedicated to work towards mitigation of HEC.
“Out of the twenty lights, nine streetlights were installed at HEC-prone villages in Tamulpur, eight in Baksa and other three in Udalguri districts of. These districts are vulnerable to frequent HEC, with incidents often intensifying at night. Limited visibility during night hours increases the risk of unexpected encounters between villagers and wild elephants, sometimes leading to injuries or even fatalities.”, says Aaranyak through a press statement.
The solar street lights have been installed at strategic locations as identified by the local communities and ECN members. These locations include known elephant movement pathways frequently used by villagers and passers-by after dark.
The lights aim to enhance night-time visibility, reduce fear and panic during elephant movements, and help prevent accidental confrontations between people and wild elephants.
This effort is a step towards building safer, more informed communities that can coexist with wildlife. The illuminated paths not only support the movement of villagers after dusk but also serve as a subtle deterrent for elephants, guiding them away from human settlements.
The entire installation process was carried out by an Aaranyak’s field team comprising of Abhijit Saikia, Mondeep Basumatari, Hemanta Phukan, Bistirna Burhagohain, Jaugashar Basumatary, Rangjalu Basumatary, Bikash Tossa, Pradip Barman, Rupam Goyari and intern Kishore Kumar Basumatary, along with strong support from the local ECN members and residents of the villages.