Assam: Aaranyak launches 7 rapid response units for human–elephant conflict mitigation

Guwahati: Aaranyak, a biodiversity conservation organisation, has formed seven Rapid Response Units (RRUs) in eastern Assam districts, including Majuli, Jorhat, Sivasagar, and Tinsukia, to address human-elephant conflict (HEC) and promote coexistence through community involvement.

Working with the British Asian Trust, Assam Forest Department, and support from the Darwin Initiative, Aaranyak established the RRUs after conducting extensive community consultations in July 2023.

The RRUs, comprising community members, will serve as early warning systems to mitigate HEC and foster peaceful coexistence. Through WhatsApp, they will inform nearby villages about elephant movements, creating a community guarding system.