Assam Minister Pushes Forest Restoration to Stop Human-Elephant Conflict

Guwahati: Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah identified habitat restoration as the primary fix for the state's surging human-elephant conflict. He addressed the Assembly on July 13 following a motion by BJP MLA Padma Hazarika. Clearing encroached forest land remains the most effective deterrent. The government noted fewer incursions in several reclaimed areas.

"Wherever we have been able to clear forest land of encroachment, we have found that human-elephant conflict has decreased there. It has happened in three to four places," Baruah told the House. While elephant numbers remain stable, shrinking forests and broken corridors force herds into villages seeking food and water. Development projects and alleged abuse in neighboring states have also pushed elephants into new regions.

The government is launching a mix of quick and permanent tactics to manage the situation. Short-term fixes include solar fencing, building waterholes, and planting Assam lemons as natural borders. Officials will also test beekeeping as a deterrent and bolster Rapid Response Teams. Baruah and state MLAs will meet on July 15 to hash out these strategies and also address the growing monkey menace.