Guwahati: Conservation organisation Aaranyak has launched a mobile public awareness campaign across Udalguri and Baksa districts of Assam to prevent elephant deaths caused by illegal electric fencing.
Named AIRAVAT, the campaign began on October 3 and aims to discourage the installation of hazardous live wires around agricultural fields and settlements, while promoting the safe removal of existing illegal electrical installations with the support of relevant authorities.
The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department, district administrations and Assam Police, with field-level participation from forest personnel and Elephant Conservation Networks (ECNs).
Illegal electric fencing involves the use of live electrical wires, sometimes connected through unauthorised tapping of domestic electricity lines or the power grid, to keep elephants away from crops and settlements. Such installations can cause fatal electrocution of elephants and pose serious risks to people who may come into contact with the wires.
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The campaign uses e-rickshaws and other vehicles equipped with public address systems to spread awareness in villages, tea garden settlements, weekly markets and other community gathering points.
According to Aaranyak, the announcements have prompted residents to approach campaign teams with questions about unsafe electrical installations, elephant electrocution and compensation provisions for eligible losses and damages associated with human-elephant conflict.
Several residents who were previously unaware of the available compensation provisions have sought information about the assistance available and the procedures for accessing it, the organisation said.
The campaign teams include Range Officers, foresters and other forest personnel from the respective range and beat offices, alongside ECN members and Aaranyak staff. The ECNs support community engagement, information-sharing, early warning and rapid response during human-elephant encounters.
The campaign has covered extensive areas under the Dhansiri Forest Division in Udalguri district, including locations under the Nunai and Barnadi ranges. In Baksa district, the outreach has covered villages under the Batabari Range of the Baksa Forest Division.
In Udalguri, the campaign has reached locations including Bamonjuli, Dimakuchi and Kachubil weekly markets, Panery, Bhootiachang, Gitibari, Sonajuli, Kalikhola, Hathkhola, Gopipur, Beltola, Banshipur, Amlaiguri, Basbari, Badlapara and Bogamati, among several others.
In Baksa, the outreach has covered Daragaon, Bhutankhuti, Shimlabasti, Madhupur, Panbari, Bongaon, Subankhata, Sonajuli, Kumguri, Kalibon, Barikadanga, Geruwa, Thalkuchi, Kadamtola, Hededpur, Durgapur and Sagarmatha, among other communities.
The campaign will continue in Tamulpur district, while awareness activities will be sustained in the areas already covered in Udalguri and Baksa throughout the paddy harvesting season.
The initiative aims to prevent avoidable deaths of elephants and people by addressing the dangers of illegal electric fencing and strengthening community awareness of safer approaches to human-elephant coexistence.
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