Aaranyak, with support from the SBI Foundation, facilitated a three-day exposure visit to Jaldapara and Kurseong Forest Divisions in North  Bengal for 24 associated individuals as a exposure to enhance their understanding of human-elephant conflict (HEC) mitigation strategies as well as promote knowledge exchange.

The team facilitated exposure visit included members from Elephant Conservation Networks (ECNs) from Baksa, Tamulpur, and Udalguri districts of Assam; members of anti-depredation squad (ADS) Tamulpur and Kumarikata Forest Ranges; forest officials from Kumarikata Range and members of grassroot NGO-Manas Chowki Ecotourism Society, and Aaranyak's officials.

Participants engaged in interactive discussions with forest officials and local communities from North Bengal areas to gain insights into landscape management and conflict mitigation measures.

The exposure trip included field visits to key conflict-prone areas, where various approaches, such as community-led watchtower monitoring and the use of solar-powered CCTV cameras for real-time elephant movement tracking were demonstrated.

The team also visited project villages in Naxalbari, where ATREE, in collaboration with ICIMOD, has been implementing innovative community-based mitigation strategies.

In addition to field learning, participants had the opportunity to observe conservation efforts through a safari in Jaldapara National Park and interactions with Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs).

The exposure visits not only provided technical insights but also fostered collaboration among participants thereby strengthening efforts to develop sustainable solutions for human-elephant coexistence.

This visit was made feasible with the consent of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife North Bengal and through seamless cooperation with Forest officials from the Kurseong and Jaldapara Forest Divisions.

The participants were accompanied and led by Aaranyak’s officials Abhijit Saikia, Didom Daimari, Bikash Tossa, and Jaugasar Basumatary. The effort was coordinated by Aaranyaks members Abhijan Saha and Debojit Nandi.