bsf-on-indo-bangladesh-border-learn-elephant-safety-measures

A recent initiative by Aaranyak, a premier research-driven non-profit biodiversity conservation organisation, aimed at sensitising Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on the Indo-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya's Garo Hills region has been hailed as a significant step toward improving human-wildlife coexistence.

 

The program was designed to educate BSF personnel about the behaviour and ecology of wild elephants, which they frequently encounter while on duty.

 

On Monday, experts from Aaranyak's Elephant Research and Conservation Division (ERCD), in collaboration with the Meghalaya Forest Department, conducted an outreach session for BSF personnel stationed at Khilapara Border Outpost (BOP).

 

The session, attended by around 100 BSF personnel from the 100th and 22nd Battalions, was led by Dr. Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar, head of the ERCD, alongside Deputy Head Hiten Baishya and official Abhijit Baruah.

 

The program was also attended by Deputy Commandants of the 22nd BSF Battalion, JS Bhati and Sunderer, and Forest Range Officer (FRO) S.B. Marak from the Tura Wildlife Division.

 

The purpose of the program was to create awareness among the BSF personnel about the ecology and behaviour of Asian elephants. The knowledge imparted during the session is expected to help the personnel avoid confrontations with the wild elephants they may encounter while performing their duties on the international border. This region is known for the frequent movement of wild elephants across the border, posing potential hazards to the BSF personnel.

 

Dr. Lahkar set the stage for the program by providing an overview of Aaranyak’s activities in the field of biodiversity conservation. He highlighted the organisation’s efforts in research-driven conservation and its multi-stakeholder approach, emphasising the importance of mitigating human-elephant conflict (HEC) through coexistence strategies.

 

Hiten Baishya presented an in-depth overview of Asian elephants, discussing their distribution, ecological significance, and the various conservation initiatives being undertaken to protect them.

 

Abhijit Baruah focused on the characteristics and behaviour of Asian elephants, equipping the BSF personnel with practical knowledge on how to protect themselves during encounters with these majestic but potentially dangerous animals.

 

The BSF officials expressed their gratitude to Aaranyak for organising the program, acknowledging the importance of such knowledge in helping them manage the challenges posed by wild elephants.

 

They appreciated the comprehensive presentations and reiterated their commitment to respecting the cross-border movements of wild elephants, which are protected under Appendix 1 of the Convention of Migratory Species.

 

Aaranyak has been actively working with grassroots communities, forest departments, and other stakeholders across Assam's Brahmaputra Valley and the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya to mitigate human-elephant conflict and promote coexistence.

 

This initiative is part of their broader efforts to conserve Asian elephants, ensuring that these magnificent creatures can thrive alongside human populations in the region.