Assam government to prepare comprehensive SOP on human-elephant conflict, monkey menace

The Assam government has initiated the process of preparing a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to address the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict in the state, with a special focus on human-elephant conflict and the increasing monkey menace.

Assam Environment and Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah on Wednesday, July 15 said the government is holding consultations with legislators, forest officials and other stakeholders to develop a practical and long-term strategy aimed at reducing conflicts between humans and wildlife.

The Minister made the announcement after a meeting with Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) at the Assam Legislative Assembly premises in Dispur.

Highlighting the scale of the challenge, Mallabaruah said nearly 150 people lose their lives annually in elephant-related incidents across Assam. Besides claiming human lives, wild elephants also inflict extensive damage on agricultural crops, affecting the livelihoods of people in several parts of the state.

He said both immediate and long-term interventions would be required to mitigate the problem, adding that increasing forest cover and creating suitable elephant habitats would play a key role in reducing the movement of elephants into human settlements.

As part of the strategy, the government plans to identify suitable areas for planting tree species that serve as natural food sources for elephants, thereby reducing their dependence on agricultural fields.

The Minister said Assam has already been divided into different elephant management zones based on elephant movement and population patterns. Separate consultations involving MLAs, wildlife experts and forest officials will be held in each zone to formulate region-specific mitigation measures.

He added that interventions such as solar fencing, bio-fencing and habitat improvement would be undertaken only after detailed assessment, noting that poorly planned fencing often shifts the conflict to neighbouring areas rather than resolving it.

The government is also considering large-scale plantation drives with support from forest battalions and other organisations. It is additionally exploring the use of aerial seeding in difficult terrain where conventional plantation activities are not feasible.

Mallabaruah said stakeholders have been asked to submit their suggestions by July 20 or 21, following which the Forest Department is expected to prepare the SOP by July 22.

The meeting also reviewed the increasing monkey menace in several districts, where crop and horticultural losses have emerged as a growing concern.

The Minister said the government is examining multiple options, including expanding fruit-bearing plantations and studying the feasibility of scientific sterilisation programmes to manage the monkey population. He, however, clarified that any such initiative would be implemented only after public consultation and expert assessment.

He added that local MLAs have been asked to gather feedback from residents on possible mitigation measures, noting that any sterilisation programme would require trained personnel, veterinary support and adequate infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the state government is also working to strengthen the compensation mechanism for victims of human-wildlife conflict. It is considering a system for faster disbursal of compensation through dedicated funds maintained with District Commissioners.

The proposed framework is expected to cover incidents involving elephants, tigers and other wild animals. The government is also reviewing the functioning of Rapid Response Teams to improve their preparedness and response during wildlife-related emergencies.