Guwahati, 26th February: In a proactive measure to address the ongoing human-elephant conflict, an 11-kilometre-long solar-powered fence has been successfully installed along the boundary of Raimona National Park in Assam’s Kokrajhar district.
The installation, spearheaded by Aaranyak, a leading biodiversity conservation organization, in collaboration with the forest department and local community members, aims to safeguard 17 villages and 870 households residing in the vicinity.
This innovative solution received crucial support from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), underscoring the collaborative effort involved in addressing wildlife conservation challenges.
Managed by trained community members, the solar-powered fence serves as a formidable barrier against elephant intrusions, thereby mitigating the risks posed to human settlements and agricultural lands.
In its initial phase, a 4-kilometre-long electric fence was erected to shield six villages situated on the periphery of the national park, safeguarding 270 households from potential elephant encounters.
Subsequently, an additional 6.55 kilometres of solar-powered single-wire fencing was deployed to extend protection to 11 villages encompassing 600 households, effectively expanding the scope of safeguarded areas.
The active participation of local community members, who contributed essential resources such as posts and labor, was instrumental in the successful implementation of this initiative.
With the recent extension, the cumulative length of the solar-powered fence along the park’s boundary now spans 17.05 kilometres, offering enhanced protection to vulnerable communities and wildlife habitats.
This initiative builds upon previous efforts, including the installation of a 6.5-kilometre-long fence by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to safeguard fringe villages and households, reflecting a concerted commitment to fostering harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife in the region.
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