A unique solution to resolve the elephant-human conflict, that could serve as a model for conservation elsewhere, is taking shape in Chhattisgarh. Under this, different forests will be linked by revitalising existing corridors and creating new ones in a three-phase project to protect affected tribals and earmark biologically sustainable forests for an elephant reserve.

There is good news for domestic elephants too: a rescue centre-cum-old age home for distressed and “retired” elephants in natural surroundings will be set up in the state.

Helping Chhattisgarh in this mission is conservationist Mike Pandey, his Earth Matters Foundation (EMF), and a team of veteran elephant and habitat experts, including former Project Elephant chief Vinod Rishi. Pandey has been following elephant dynamics in Chhattisgarh since the late ‘80s. His films “The Last Migration” (1994) and “The Vanishing Giant” (2004) won him two of his three green Oscars.

In New Delhi, Project Elephant chief A N Prasad welcomed the move. “As soon as these initiatives take shape and start showing some results, Project Elephant will do whatever possible in terms of financial and technical support,” he said.

With 44 per cent forest cover, Chhattisgarh has been attracting migratory elephant herds displaced from Jharkhand due to mining and deforestation since the early nineties. Today, the state has about 130 elephants and this has led to frequent man-animal conflicts. In 1994, there were 125 affected villages. Today, there are more than 430.

Pandey, invited by the state government, was in Raipur this week where he met Chief Minister Raman Singh followed by a workshop with the forest minister and top forest officials of the state. “We want a workable solution and the state sought his (Pandey’s) ideas and participation so that we can benefit from his experience of over two decades,” Chhattisgarh Forest Minister Brijmohan Agrawal told The Indian Express.

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