Date: October 6, 2024
Location: Mechi Riverside
As part of the Wildlife Week 2024 celebrations, the Nature and Wildlife Association (NWA) organized a transboundary community interaction on 6 October 2024 at the Mechi Riverside, focusing on strategies for mitigating human-elephant conflict in the region. The meeting brought together key stakeholders from both administrative and community levels.
Participants included:
- Maniram GP Pradhan, Mr. Goutam Ghosh
- Kilaram Panchayat, Mr. Ajay Kumar Das
- Beat Officer, Kolabari, Mr. Bhanu Barman
- JFMC President, Mr. Nethra Sharma
- Mr. Prem Tamang
- Members of the NWA Quick Response Team (QRT)
The discussion focused on collaborative conflict mitigation efforts, sustainable resource management, and cross-border cooperation between India and Nepal in managing transboundary elephant movement. Emphasis was placed on strengthening local preparedness, improving coordination among stakeholders, and enhancing long-term resilience in frequently affected areas.
Later that day, a Wildlife Week outreach program was conducted at Surjabar Community Hall, Maniram GP, under the ‘Lights for Life’ campaign. During the program, 24 searchlights were distributed by NWA to community members in highly depredated zones to support their crop protection and night vigilance efforts during peak conflict periods.
The presence and participation of local governance, forest officials, JFMC members, and grassroots-level responders highlight the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach in addressing human-wildlife conflict in sensitive border regions.
