The project “Securing a Sustainable Future for Elephants in Some Protected Areas of North Bengal”, implemented by the Nature and Wildlife Association (NWA) in collaboration with the Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS), adopts a holistic approach to reducing Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) while strengthening elephant habitats and promoting coexistence across North Bengal. Working across key landscapes of the Kurseong, Baikunthapur, and Jalpaiguri Forest Divisions, the project combines habitat restoration, community participation, research, and technology-driven conservation interventions.
A major focus of the initiative is the formation and strengthening of community-based Primary Response Teams (PRTs) and Quick Response Teams (QRTs), empowering local volunteers to assist frontline forest staff during conflict situations and improve preparedness in vulnerable areas. The project also undertakes elephant corridor mapping, conflict hotspot identification, and monitoring of elephant movement patterns to support evidence-based conservation planning and targeted mitigation efforts.
Community engagement remains at the heart of the programme, with regular awareness campaigns, stakeholder meetings, training programmes, and outreach activities promoting safe practices and fostering a culture of coexistence between people and wildlife. In addition, habitat improvement measures such as grassland restoration, along with the use of technologies including solar-powered surveillance systems, contribute to enhancing habitat quality and strengthening early warning mechanisms. Through collaborative conservation and active community participation, the project aims to create safer landscapes for both elephants and people while securing the long-term future of North Bengal’s elephant populations.