Biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, as part of its endeavour to facilitate coexistence in human-elephant conflict (HEC) hotspots in the region, has started installing LED lights in those areas to mitigate the raging conflict to prevent loss of lives and damage to property.
As per the initiative, solar-operated standalone blinking LED lights are used to deter the wild elephants from crop raiding and entering human settlements. This device is customised with two LEDs powered by an inbuilt lithium-ion battery which is charged by a top mounted solar panel.
The LEDs blink at a regular intervals like flashing lights, creating the illusion of human presence and thus deter the elephants without causing any physical harm to the elephants. Thus, it reduces negative human-elephant interactions and facilitates human-elephant coexistence.
Aaranyak aims to install 40 LED lights as an elephant deterrent in different areas of Udalguri, Baksa and Tamulpur districts of Assam in the first part of the initiative, supported by SBI Foundation.
Already 10 such solar-powered LED lights were installed in No.1 Garuajhar and Uttar Garuajhar village which are located on the bank of the Nonai river under Bhergaon block of Udalguri district.
Standalone lights were installed at 10 different locations on the bank of Nonai river in both villages. The LED lights were installed around 200 metres apart using 8 feet high bamboo poles and an iron mount to protect the paddy fields and dwellings. Around 500 families will be benefitted through the LED lights from wild elephants.
The local community was involved during the installation and they also took responsibility for the safety of the LED lights.
