At the Nature and Wildlife Association (NWA), we believe that conservation is more than protecting wildlife — it’s about creating balance as conflict threatens both humans and the wildlife. Since 2019, we’ve worked extensively across the non-forest zones of North Bengal to reduce Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) through sustainable, science-led, and community-driven interventions.
Our team is committed to the project entitled-
“Securing a Sustainable Future for Elephants in some Protected Areas of North Bengal.”
PROJECTS & INITIATIVES
Project Ashwatthama
A flagship initiative to identify and track individual loner elephants using physical and behavioural traits such as tusk length and angle, tail shape, ear folds, footprints, bullet marks, and emotional response patterns. This helps us understand crop-raiding behaviour and prevent future damage.
Conflict Mapping & Corridor Monitoring
We locate entry/exit points and trace elephant routes, especially in sensitive regions like army camps and border zones. We also study their movement dynamics using CCTV surveillance in active corridors.
Quick Response Teams (QRTs)
We have trained community volunteers and they are stationed in conflict hotspots of non-forest ares of North Bengal to neutralize human-elephant encounters using non-violent, soft mitigation tools.
Early Warning & Awareness Campaigns
We are implementing early alert systems and conducting local workshops on precautionary steps during elephant movement, especially at night. We have launched mobile app-based early alert system to warn communities about nearby elephant movement.
Logistics & Support for Forest Staff
We provide essential tools like headlamps, walkie-talkies, measuring tapes, and raincoats to ensure better preparedness and communication during elephant movement.
Our Goal is to: