In an effort to foster coexistence
between villagers and wild elephants, a 1.2-kilometer-long solar-powered fence
was inaugurated in Borogopal Part 3 village, West Garo Hills district of
Meghalaya.
Belinda Stuwart Cox from the British
Asian Trust, UK, officially opened the fence, symbolising a significant step in
mitigating human-elephant conflict.
The inauguration ceremony, attended by
representatives from the Forest Department of Meghalaya, Auro Saswat of British
Asian Trust from Pondicherry, Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar of Aaranyak, wildlife
biologist Alolika Sinha, and local community members, marked a collaborative
effort to address the challenges posed by wild elephants in the region.
Organised by biodiversity conservation
organisation Aaranyak, the event brought together around 70 villagers,
including women from Borogopal, reflecting the community’s anticipation for
increased safety and security against roaming elephant herds.
Installed by Aaranyak and the British
Asian Trust with support from the Darwin Initiative (UK Aid), the solar-powered
fence aims to restrict the movement of wild elephants, preventing potential
conflicts with local communities.
During the inauguration, an agreement was
signed among the fencing committee, villagers, and Aaranyak, formalising the
handover of the fence to the local community.
Belinda Stuwart Cox emphasised the
community’s role in maintaining the fence, outlining their responsibilities. To
celebrate the occasion, children from the village performed the traditional
Rabha dance.
The villagers expressed their gratitude
by felicitating officials from British Asian Trust and the Aaranyak team and
treating them to a traditional Rabha Pajar and a sumptuous lunch.
ANI
