Habitats to prevent human-elephant conflict

Bhubaneswar: To prevent human-elephant conflict, Voices for Asian Elephants (VFAE), a California-based elephant conservation organisation, has planted over 20,000 fruit trees and dug seven large water holes in partnership with the local conservation group Paribartan in Balasore and Angul districts that can support around 210 elephants. VFAE founder and filmmaker Sangita Iyer said, “We employed the local tribal people in our efforts to empower them economically while soliciting their cooperation in helping alleviate human-elephant conflict, avert tragedies, and ultimately foster a peaceful coexistence.” “Distressed elephants are entering villages for food and water by crossing major highways. This is intensifying human-elephant-conflict and has caused a staggering number of elephant deaths. Restoring degraded habitats with favored elephant plant species and creating waterholes in their habitats can prevent them from crossing treacherous roads,” she said. She added, “The project’s goal is to ensure availability of sufficient fodder and water in core elephant habitats by growing nurseries of elephant favoured plants such as Bauhinia vines, jackfruit, and mango, monitoring them until maturity, while at the same time also creating water bodies in core forests.” Read More at : https://www.orissapost.com/habitats-to-prevent-human-elephant-conflict/amp/