Agartala: The Tripura govt has implemented a project aimed at addressing the human-elephant conflict in the Atharomura hill region of Tripura’s Khowai district.The project involves the installation of solar fencing, elephant proof trenches and the establishment of an anti-depredation squad, which is a community-based troop responsible for managing elephant ravages, district forest officer Khowai Ashok Kumar said.Wildlife officials are optimistic about the impact of these initiatives, expecting a reduction in elephant intrusion into human habitations along the Assam-Agartala National Highway and the foothills of Atharomura range.Specifically, solar fencing has been installed in Chakmaghat, Uttar Krishnapur, and South Maharani villages, while elephant proof trenches have been developed over a long stretch up to Chakmaghat, along with the establishment of six anti-depredation squad camps in vulnerable forest fringe areas.The forest department has recently completed solar fencing work in various parts of Chakmaghat and adjoining areas under Teliamura, to prevent wild elephants, particularly tuskers, from entering human settlements, Kumar said.The growing interaction between humans and elephants in the area is attributed to habitat disturbance and shrinking forest corridors.However, the department is exploring the management of an undisturbed elephant corridor across the hills of Khowai, Dhalai, and Gomati districts, forest minister Animesh Debbarma said.
