My Journey Into Elephant Conservation: A Story Of Fear, Loss, And A New Beginning

Elephants have always been a central part of my life, growing up in a remote village near an elephant corridor in Assam. The human-elephant conflict was common, as elephants would frequently raid our crops and enter villages. These early experiences inspired my journey into elephant conservation, as I witnessed firsthand the devastating effects on both the elephants and local communities. Over time, I became passionate about finding sustainable solutions for wildlife conservation and reducing the tension between humans and elephants.

The first time I encountered a wild elephant, I was only six years old. My mother woke us in the middle of the night, panic-stricken as elephants entered our village. My father, in a calm yet urgent voice, asked me to help light a kerosene torch. Although I was terrified, I followed him, clutching a flashlight. The beam of light quivered in my small hands as we stepped into the pitch-black night. The tension was thick in the air, and in that moment, I felt the raw power of these magnificent creatures.

As I grew older, protecting the paddy fields became a routine task. The human-wildlife conflict was part of daily life, and we took great pride in safeguarding our crops. But this pride came with a cost. The sight of an electrocuted elephant in a nearby field one morning shook me deeply. Within a year, five elephants had been killed this way. This tragic loss made me realize that our methods of protecting crops were unsustainable and cruel.

This was the pivotal moment that led me into elephant conservation and the mission to resolve human-elephant conflict. I began to understand that elephants were not the invaders we thought them to be. They were simply creatures trying to survive in a world where their natural habitat was disappearing due to deforestation and agricultural expansion. The destruction of their ecosystems was forcing them into human settlements in search of food.

I began researching the complexities of elephant behavior and the science behind conservation efforts. Dr. Raman Sukumar’s book, The Living Elephants: Evolutionary Ecology, Behavior, and Conservation, opened my eyes to the nuances of these incredible animals. His work provided valuable insight into the challenges of protecting elephants while maintaining harmony between them and the communities affected by their presence.

Today, I’m dedicated to finding innovative ways to protect both elephants and the people who share their land. My mission is not only to reduce human-elephant conflict but also to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and the role that elephant corridors play in providing safe passage for these gentle giants. Learn more about these critical corridors and ongoing conservation efforts at the Wildlife Trust of India.

Join me on this journey as I continue to explore effective solutions for human-elephant conflict resolution. By working together, we can ensure a future where elephants and humans can coexist peacefully. Stay tuned for the next chapter, where I’ll share more about the exciting breakthroughs and heartwarming success stories from the field of elephant conservation.