WWF India & Pernod Ricard India Foundation partner to secure the future of wild jumbos in Assam

New Delhi: And now for some good news! Pernod Ricard India Foundation and WWF India on Tuesday announced a partnership to secure the future of wild elephants in the state of Assam. This project is expected to address some of the issues related to the man-elephant conflict in the state.

"Pernod Ricard India Foundation and WWF India aim to conserve the Asian elephant through effective human-elephant conflict management in Assam," read a joint statement issued by the two organizations.

The Asian elephant, the main species of the animal found in Assam, is the largest terrestrial species in India and requires vast stretches of open forest and open land for its needs. The relationship between the wild tuskers and Assam villagers is marked by conflict.

Somewhat alarmingly, the Assam Forest Department data shows that a total of 245 persons and 146 elephants were killed between 2001 and 2014 in several such incidents.

According to the release, the project will work across 150 villages in Kamrup, Sonitpur, Biswanath, and Nagaon districts. It will train community members on "effective situation management" by developing a toolkit and forming anti-depredation squads, which would help them protect their property, crops, and lives, the statement further added.

This upcoming project is expected to build on the WWF's experience on the human-elephant conflict in Assam over the past 20 years.

"This partnership will help secure the populations of Asian elephants in Assam by working closely with local communities and the Forest and Railway departments of the state," Dr. Dipankar Ghose, Director, Wildlife and Habitats, WWF India, said.

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