Nature and Wildlife Association (NWA), in collaboration with Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS) and funded by the NWA-Foundation, successfully organized a series of workshops aimed at elephant conservation across various forest ranges in North Bengal. The initiative was commissioned by the Department of Forest, Government of West Bengal, with the goal of promoting coexistence and securing long-term sustainability for elephants in and around protected areas.

Objectives of the Workshop Series:

• To build awareness among forest staff and stakeholders about elephant ecology and behavior
• To discuss human-elephant conflict (HEC) mitigation strategies
• To promote landscape-level conservation efforts for long-term elephant movement and safety
• To strengthen collaboration between forest divisions, local communities, and NGOs

Workshop Details:

• Workshop No. 1
  Date: 11/04/2023
  Location: Bangdubi Forest Rest House
  Range: Bagdogra Range, Kurseong Forest Division
• Workshop No. 2
  Date: 12/04/2023
  Location: Tukuriajhar Forest Rest House
  Range: Tukuriajhar Range, Kurseong Forest Division
• Workshop No. 3
  Date: 13/04/2023
  Location: Bamonpokhri Forest Rest House
  Range: Bamonpokhri Range, Kurseong Forest Division
• Workshop No. 4
  Date: 06/05/2023
  Location: Sukna NIC Hall
  Range: Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Wildlife-I Forest Division
• Workshop No. 5
  Date: 07/05/2023
  Location: Sarugara Range
  Division: Baikunthapur Forest Division (for Sarugara & Dabgram Range)
• Workshop No. 6
  Date: 08/05/2023
  Location: Kathambari Rest House
  Division: Baikunthapur Forest Division (for Targhera & Apalchand Range)
• Workshop No. 7
  Date: 09/05/2023
  Location: Ambari Rest House
  Division: Baikunthapur Forest Division (for Ambari & Belacoba Range)

These workshops contributed significantly to enhancing coordination among field-level staff, sensitizing local stakeholders, and laying the groundwork for future community-inclusive conservation efforts for elephants in North Bengal.