SEIJOSA : In a significant community-led conservation initiative, residents of A3 village in East Kameng district have partnered with the World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India) to install a solar-powered fence aimed at reducing human-elephant conflict and promoting peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife.
The initiative was formally launched on World Environment Day during a programme attended by Health & Family Welfare and Water Resources Development Minister Biyuram Wahge, Forest Department officials, WWF-India representatives, community leaders and local residents.
Located within the Pakke landscape, A3 village has been facing recurring incidents of crop depredation and property damage caused by elephant movement. The newly installed solar-powered fence is expected to help protect vulnerable areas while ensuring safe passage for elephants through the landscape.
Recognising the ecological significance of the area as an important elephant corridor, members of the village also pledged to undertake plantation activities within the corridor to support habitat restoration and improve wildlife connectivity.
Speaking on the occasion, Pakke Tiger Reserve Divisional Forest Officer described the community’s acceptance of solar fencing as a major step towards effective conservation and conflict mitigation. He said the initiative undertaken by A3 village could serve as a model for other villages facing similar challenges.
WWF-India Landscape Coordinator for Elephant Conservation David Smith noted that the Seijosa landscape has been identified as a hotspot for human-elephant conflict in the recently launched Management Plan for Elephants in Arunachal Pradesh. He stressed the need for coordinated action by communities, institutions and conservation agencies to address the issue effectively.
Addressing the gathering, Wahge said that while elephants are highly intelligent animals capable of overcoming barriers, the success of mitigation measures depends largely on active community participation and vigilance. Congratulating the people of A3 village for their proactive approach, he urged other villages to adopt similar measures to promote coexistence and reduce conflict.
Earlier in the day, World Environment Day was also marked by a mass plantation drive under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign organised by the District Administration in collaboration with Pakke Tiger Reserve and the Khellong Forest Division. As part of the initiative, the Forest Department distributed 1,000 saplings to Gram Panchayat members for plantation in their respective villages.
The Forest Department appreciated the support extended by the District Administration, WWF-India, public representatives, local communities and frontline staff, stating that collaborative efforts such as those undertaken by A3 village are crucial for ensuring long-term conservation success in the Pakke landscape.
