The menace of human-elephant conflict is increasing at an alarming rate. Every year, a number of human and elephant deaths are caused due to this problem.
In order to tackle it, Aminuddin Ahmed of Sivasagar, innovated a ‘mobile elephant push back machine’ which is being showcased at the Innovators’ Exhibition Hall in the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati.
“Due to the menace caused by elephants, people were not able to cultivate their agricultural fields. The elephants would come and destroy the crops. So I came up with an idea to build this machine,” Ahmed said.
There were around 70 elephant deaths in 2017. Moreover, until November 2017, 48 people were trampled to death by elephants according to an estimate of the Forest Department.
Speaking to Northeast Now, Ahmed said, “I have used five features here – laser light, infrared rays, ultrasound, general light and the sound of honey bees. In the forest areas, elephants are sometimes stung by honey bees so they are scared of that sound. We switch on the machine for about five to ten minutes.”
Elephant push back machine is an eco-friendly low-cost machine to ward off the elephants from human habitation or restrict their movements to their natural habitat in the forest zone.
“The machine can be effectively used up to a radius of 1 km. We have tried and tested this machine and have been successful in warding off elephants, first in Aofala (Desangmukh) and then in Panbesa,” he added.
The machine has been designed at North East Innovation Hub and Science Practical Lab in Sivasagar, aided by National Innovation Foundation.