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Lessons in Wildlife Management.
Got a rare opportunity to deal with Human-Elephant conflict in the forest division. Here are few of my observations.
To start with, this is a footprint of a Wild Male Elephant just adjacent to my residence. Yes, he was that close.
Got a rare opportunity to deal with Human-Elephant conflict in the forest division. Here are few of my observations.
To start with, this is a footprint of a Wild Male Elephant just adjacent to my residence. Yes, he was that close.
Foremost observation is the fact that we have obstructed his path by building walls, markets and demarcating borders so he is now forced to take the routes that we take. Means, he is travelling on Roads now.
This is a representative image.
This is a representative image.
As water level declines in Rivers during winters, it becomes easier for the Elephant to cross these water bodies and enter human habitations in search of Food and Mate.
Leading to what we call Human-Elephant conflict.
Leading to what we call Human-Elephant conflict.
Such conflict arises because often we fail to understand the behaviour of a wildlife species.
As soon as one sees a gentle giant roaming on roads one starts feeling panicky and throw stones or make loud noise in front of the Elephant. This creates stress in him.
As soon as one sees a gentle giant roaming on roads one starts feeling panicky and throw stones or make loud noise in front of the Elephant. This creates stress in him.
We need to give a free passage to an Elephant so that it can peacefully go back through its corridor after some expeditions in human habitations.
Having said that it is important to monitor its movement through a Joint Patrolling Team.
Having said that it is important to monitor its movement through a Joint Patrolling Team.
Also, local residents need to be made aware that stock of freshly harvested wheat and home-made liquor in their homes can attract an Elephant - which may result in loss of life and property.
Public announcement is done to spread the awareness.
Public announcement is done to spread the awareness.
Building a robust information network and coordination with Police, Paramilitary Forces, Wildlife Protection Team and Volunteers is utmost necessary to deal with emergency situations.
It's a Team Effort.
It's a Team Effort.
Lastly, we need to understand that wildlife doesn't belong to a Forest or for that matter to Forest Department alone. Protection of Wildlife is a collective responsibility.
"Yeh humara haathi hai" should be a tendency rather than ''Yeh haathi to Forest Department ka hai".
"Yeh humara haathi hai" should be a tendency rather than ''Yeh haathi to Forest Department ka hai".
Want to give credits to 'Shaalu'. He lives just close to my residence and walk with us while we conduct the night patrolling drills.
He was instrumental in alerting and indicating us the exact location of the wild Elephant last night.
We owe him a treat.
He was instrumental in alerting and indicating us the exact location of the wild Elephant last night.
We owe him a treat.
