Project Continuation Report

Continuing Efforts to Mitigate Human-Elephant Conflict in the Riverine Corridor of Dudhnoi and Matia Taluks, Goalpara District, Assam

Date: August 2025

1. Background and Context

The district of Goalpara in Assam continues to face escalating human-elephant conflict (HEC), particularly in the Dudhnoi and Matia Taluks. The once-seasonal movement of elephants through the riverine corridor between the Jinary and Krishnai rivers has been severely disrupted due to habitat fragmentation, land-use change, and degradation of key ecological resources such as Urpad Beel.

In response to this crisis, our organization initiated a community-based HEC mitigation program in early 2024. Through a combination of awareness campaigns, engagement with traditional knowledge holders, and preliminary research, we began building a foundation for a long-term, locally rooted conservation effort.

This report documents the continuation and expansion of that initiative through 2025, with emphasis on sustained community involvement, scientific corridor mapping, and ecological restoration.

2. Summary of Activities Completed (2024 – Mid 2025)

Community Awareness and Engagement

• Conducted 12 awareness sessions in high-conflict villages such as Futuripara, Mornoi, Matia, and Harimura Udaypur.
• Engaged over 600 community members, including children, women, and farmers.
• Revived local folklore and mahout songs as a medium for conservation messaging.
• Distributed safety leaflets and conducted mock drills in schools and community centers.

Volunteer Mobilization

• Identified and trained 30 community volunteers from 10 villages.
• Equipped volunteers with field kits and trained them in basic elephant behaviour, early-warning protocols, and GPS use.
• Volunteers are now regularly reporting elephant movements and assisting in non-confrontational conflict mitigation.

Preliminary Corridor Mapping

• Conducted field surveys and participatory mapping exercises.
• Collected local ecological knowledge and GIS data to identify elephant movement zones.
• Initiated analysis of movement bottlenecks and habitat fragmentation.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Held joint meetings with local panchayats and landowners.
• Built trust and working relationships with forest rangers and local leaders.
• Collaborated with schools and community clubs to mainstream conservation dialogue.

3. Lessons Learned

• Community trust and participation are critical; previous exclusion from conservation planning led to resentment, which is now being addressed.
• Traditional knowledge systems remain highly relevant and effective in both understanding elephant behavior and framing conservation narratives.
• Volunteer engagement has proven cost-effective and impactful in early warning and response, though continued capacity-building is essential.
• Corridor mapping needs to be supported by both ground truthing and satellite data to ensure accuracy and utility.

4. Focus Areas for Continuation (Aug 2025 – Jan 2026)

As we move forward, the project will enter a more action-oriented phase, focusing on applied ecological restoration and deepened community collaboration.

1. Finalization of Corridor Mapping

• Complete GPS-GIS based documentation of 3 major elephant corridors.
• Validate mapped routes with Forest Department and historical data.

2. Community-Based Restoration

• Identify 2 priority corridors for ecological restoration.
• Mobilize community volunteers, panchayats, and forest staff for clearing, planting native species, and creating safe passageways.

3. Establishment of Feeding Sites

• Set up 3 feeding zones (using bananas, jackfruit, salt licks) along forest edges to reduce crop raids.
• Engage local youth groups in maintaining and monitoring these sites.

4. Continued Awareness and Monitoring

• Organize refresher workshops in 10 villages, targeting over 500 people.
• Expand training modules for volunteers, including conflict resolution and digital tracking tools.
• Collect structured data on HEC incidents, elephant sightings, and intervention outcomes.                                                               

5. Impact So Far

6. Challenges Faced

• Limited digital infrastructure in some areas delayed reporting from volunteers.
• Ambiguity in land tenure along corridors made community-based restoration complex.
• Climatic variability, including erratic rainfall, affected movement patterns and feeding site planning.
• Funding constraints have slowed procurement of field equipment and safety gear.

7. Next Steps and Timeline

8. Conclusion

The ongoing efforts to mitigate human-elephant conflict in Goalpara are showing promising signs of community ownership, inter-agency collaboration, and ecological insight. By continuing this initiative, we are not only addressing immediate conflict but also laying the groundwork for long-term coexistence and corridor restoration in a critical landscape of Assam.

We remain committed to this cause and are seeking continued support and cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure the success of this collaborative conservation effort.