Assam: Community Initiative Marks Eight Elephant Corridors in Tinsukia to Reduce Human–Elephant Conflict

In a proactive step to mitigate rising incidents of human–elephant conflict, local communities in Tinsukia district of Assam, in collaboration with forest officials, have identified and marked eight traditional elephant corridors in the Tarani Reserve Forest area.
The initiative, driven largely by villagers living on the forest fringe, involves installing signboards along long-used elephant movement routes to alert residents and commuters about elephant crossings. These corridors are believed to be ancient pathways traditionally used by elephants long before human settlements expanded in the region.
Forest officials said the move aims to promote peaceful coexistence by increasing awareness rather than restricting elephant movement. “These corridors are not new. They are historical routes that elephants have followed for generations. Recognising and respecting them is key to preventing conflict,” an official associated with the project said.
Tarani village, which is surrounded by reserve forest on three sides, has witnessed occasional elephant incursions over the years. While large-scale conflict has been relatively rare in the past, recent changes in land use and increased human activity have heightened the risk of encounters, prompting the community-led intervention.
Local organisations and youth groups played a significant role in identifying the corridors, drawing on traditional knowledge passed down through generations. Volunteers helped erect signboards at strategic locations to caution people, especially during early morning and evening hours when elephant movement is most frequent.
Residents welcomed the initiative, calling it a practical and low-cost solution to safeguard both human lives and wildlife. “Awareness is the most important tool. If people know where elephants usually pass, they can avoid those areas and prevent accidents,” a local community member said.
Conservationists have praised the effort as an example of grassroots wildlife management, noting that similar community-driven models could be replicated in other parts of Assam and the Northeast, where human–elephant conflict remains a persistent challenge.
The forest department said it will continue to work with villagers to monitor the corridors and strengthen awareness programmes, underlining that coexistence is essential for long-term conservation of Assam’s elephant population.