Dibrugarh: Elephant raids on village farmlands have long been a source of worry for both communities and wildlife officials in the villages near Dehing Patkai National Park in Assam’s Dibrugarh district. But a recent initiative by the Dibrugarh Forest Division offers a glimmer of hope: a 15 km-long solar fence installed to deter elephants from entering human settlements.
Inaugurated in June 2023, the solar fence stretches from Nagaghat water tank to Bongaon forest village, bordering the Dehing Patkai National Park. Funded by the District Mineral Foundation scheme with Rs 22 lakh, it functions similarly to an electric fence, delivering a mild shock to deter animals and humans from touching it.
The impact has been immediate and positive. Gobin Gogoi, a 55-year-old resident of Konwarbam village, shares, “This year, our crops are safe! Elephants used to frequently damage them, but the new fencing has kept them out. It’s brought much-needed peace of mind.”
Forester Dilip Gogoi echoes this sentiment, stating, “Elephant raids were an annual occurrence, causing significant crop losses. Since the fence’s installation, not a single elephant has entered the villages. It’s a major success!”
Prior to the solar solution, villagers relied on methods like fire and crackers to deter elephants, often with limited success. Additionally, Tongi ghars ( watchmen shed) were constructed, but these offered only temporary protection. The solar fence, however, provides a more sustainable and effective solution.
Lucky Dutta, range officer at Joypur forest range, highlights the broader significance of the project: “The solar fencing has significantly reduced human-elephant conflict, a major issue due to shrinking forest cover. It’s a win-win for both communities and wildlife.”
Looking ahead, plans are underway to extend the fencing to Namsang, another human-inhabited area bordering the park.
This expansion aims to create a protective barrier while minimizing disruption to elephant migratory patterns.
The Dihing Patkai National Park, spanning across the Jeypore and Soraipung ranges of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, covers an area of 234.26 sq km. Renowned for its diverse wildlife, the park serves as a crucial habitat for the Asian elephant, known for its extensive migratory patterns.