International experts to address elephant conflict in Jamshedpur

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, July 27: In response to increasing human-elephant conflicts, the Forest Department is developing a comprehensive action plan to mitigate elephant violence. This plan includes bringing in wildlife experts from both India and abroad. The department aims to provide food and water for elephants within the forest and is planning to install solar lights and create elephant corridors in affected villages within the Chakulia forest area.

Jamshedpur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Saba Alam Ansari informed that experts from Germany and America will visit Chakulia in August. These countries also face issues with wild elephants, and the visiting experts will share their strategies for managing these conflicts. They will educate local residents on coexistence techniques that prevent harm to both humans and elephants.

To ensure elephants have sufficient water, the department plans to construct 16 ponds and two check dams in the Chakulia forest area. Additionally, a large-scale initiative involving villagers and Panchayat representatives will see the planting of one lakh bamboo and other species favored by elephants. This planting initiative is set to be implemented in the coming days.

In a bid to increase safety and deter elephants from entering villages, 475 solar lights will be installed in the affected areas. Ranger Digvijay Singh has prepared the list for installation, with 200 solar lights to be set up soon. The remaining 275 lights will be funded through district funds.