Guwahati, Feb 14: Personnel from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), deployed along the India-Bhutan border in Assam’s Baksa district, frequently encounter herds of wild elephants due to overlapping operational and elephant habitats. Recognizing the need for these personnel to be aware of elephant conservation and human-elephant conflict (HEC) mitigation measures, a comprehensive training program was organized.
Aaranyak, a leading biodiversity conservation organization, with support from the SBI Foundation, conducted the training for the SSB’s 64th Battalion at Daragaon, Baksa district, on February 7. The program aimed to sensitize 26 members of this elite border force on issues related to elephant conservation and strategies to manage the increasing instances of human-elephant conflict.
Resource persons from Aaranyak, including Abhijit Boruah and Rabiya Daimari, delivered presentations covering various aspects of elephant ecology, behavior, and the threats they face. Emphasizing the importance of habitat conservation, the session delved into the root causes of human-elephant conflicts, primarily habitat loss and degradation.
Attendees were engaged in discussions on practical strategies for conflict mitigation, which emphasized how collaborative efforts could foster coexistence between humans and elephants. The session aimed to empower the personnel to take informed actions towards reducing such conflicts.
Facilitated by Aaranyak experts Abhijit Boruah, Rabiya Daimari, Abhijit Saikia, and Jiban Chetry, the training aligns with Aaranyak’s overarching mission to promote biodiversity conservation and multi-stakeholder engagement. The initiative underscores the importance of awareness and collaboration in addressing the pressing challenge of human-wildlife coexistence in shared landscapes.
This training represents a critical step toward equipping SSB personnel with the knowledge necessary to protect both human and elephant populations, ultimately aiming to create a harmonious balance in the region.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/02/14/ssb-personnel-deployed-on-indo-bhutan-border-sensitised-on-hec-mitigation-efforts/
Category : Environment,NATIONAL,News Alert,REGIONAL
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Publish Date: 2025-02-14 15:05:00
