Coexistence of Elephants and Humans: Insights from Kurung Village

Introduction:

Kurung Village, situated along the Meghalaya-Assam border, provides a unique example of the delicate relationship between humans and elephants. During a recent visit to a proposed plantation site on May 3rd, 2023, Mr. Biswajit A. Sangma, Field Coordinator of Tikrikilla Block under the MegLIFE project, and members of the Village Project Implementation Committee (VPIC) encountered a herd of elephants, prompting a deeper understanding of their coexistence in the region.

A Peaceful Encounter:

As Mr. Sangma and the VPIC approached the site, they were greeted by the presence of 25 to 30 elephants. It was not the first time these magnificent creatures had wandered into Kurung. Since 2008, they had been recurring visitors, making two to three appearances each year. Their arrival often coincides with the maturation of agricultural crops and the season of water scarcity from January to May.

Understanding Elephant Behavior:

The villagers have identified three distinct herds that frequent the area, each displaying unique patterns. During the crop harvesting season, the elephants tend to stay for one to two weeks. Unfortunately, their presence has resulted in damage to agricultural and plantation crops, causing economic losses for the villagers. Regrettably, there have also been incidents of human-elephant conflicts, with three fatalities reported last year and an additional loss of life in the past four months. Their recent visit, however, was short. They only remained for a brief period of two to three days.

The Importance of Elephant Corridors:

Meghalaya boasts five mapped elephant corridors, namely Ranggira-Nokrek, Imangiri-Nokrek, Rewak-Imangiri, Siju-Rewak, and Baghmara-Balpakram. These corridors serve as crucial pathways for elephant movement.

The high elephant concentration in this region of the State coupled with their long-range movement through fragmented forests, which cuts across human population and agriculture field leads to frequent man animal conflict situation. The regular practice of shifting cultivation takes a heavy toll ofbiodiversity conservation which raises the conflict level as well.

Understanding their significance, MegLIFE with an Ecosystem approach under the project, aims to improve and enhance these corridors through afforestation by targeting 150 Ha, thereby minimizing potential conflicts between humans and wildlife.

Toward Peaceful Coexistence:

The encounter with the elephant herd in Kurung Village highlights the delicate balance required for peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife. Protecting and enhancing elephant corridors is key to promoting harmonious living. As we move forward, raising awareness, providing education, and encouraging community participation will be essential. By working together, we can develop innovative strategies that allow both humans and elephants to thrive, ensuring a future where they can peacefully share our lands.

Note: The incidents and observations described in this article are based on a real-life incident that occurred on May 3rd, 2023, in Kurung Village.