Government of Assam has launched ‘Gajah Mitra’ scheme to address the rising cases of human-elephant conflict (HEC) in the state. The scheme focuses on community-based mitigation, habitat restoration, and the use of AI surveillance tools to prevent conflict in 80 identified high-risk villages across five major districts.
Key Features of Gajah Mitra Scheme
| Aspect | Details |
| Launched by | Government of Assam |
| Objective | Reduce human-elephant conflict, promote coexistence, protect both elephants and rural livelihoods |
| Key Areas (Districts) | Goalpara, Baksa, Udalguri, Sonitpur, Nagaon |
| Number of High-Risk Areas | 80 conflict-prone villages identified |
| Deployment | Community-based Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) – 8 locals per team to respond during peak conflict months (especially paddy season) |
| Food Plantation Drive | As part of habitat enrichment, the scheme will include plantation of bamboo and Napier grass( both major components of an elephant’s natural diet) in conflict zones |
| Habitat Restoration | Reforestation and creation of elephant-friendly ecological corridors |
| Tech Adoption | AI-powered camera traps to track elephant movement and send real-time alerts to nearby villages |
Strategic Components of Scheme
Rapid Response Teams
- Operate during high-risk periods (harvest time)
- Divert herds using non-lethal methods
- Protect villagers and crops
Habitat & Corridor Restoration
- Enhance forests with food sources and migratory corridors
- Prevent elephants from entering human settlements in search of food
AI-Powered Camera Traps
- Real-time elephant movement detection
- Early warning system for villagers
- Aims to reduce surprise encounters
Community Education & Engagement
- Awareness programs on elephant behavior
- Crop protection techniques
- Building cooperation between villagers and forest officials
Broader Implications
- Supports wildlife conservation goals while ensuring rural livelihood protection
- Marks Assam’s move toward technology-driven, ethical wildlife management
- Aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – especially SDG 15 (Life on Land)
Background & Conflict Data
- Total Human Deaths (2000–2023): 1,400+
- Total Elephant Deaths: 1,209, of which 626 due to human-induced causes
- Leading causes: Electrocution (often due to illegal electric fencing)
- Most Affected Areas (Elephant Fatalities):
- Goalpara – 80 deaths
- Sonitpur West – 53 deaths
- Sonitpur East – 51 deaths
- Udalguri – 39 deaths
- Affected Villages: 527
- Other causes of elephant deaths: Territorial fights (81 deaths), natural causes (158 deaths)