Shillong, Nov 22: As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen conservation awareness and encourage peaceful coexistence between vulnerable communities and wild elephants an outreach programme was conducted for two schools in Assam on November 17 and 20.
The programme was organised by leading biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, with support from the SBI Foundation in Udalguri and Tamulpur districts of Assam.
The first programme was organised at Bishnu Rabha M.E. School in Udalguri district, followed by the second at Kawli High School in Tamulpur district.
These outreach activities were designed to build awareness among students about human-elephant conflict (HEC) and highlight the importance of adopting simple, practical measures to reduce risks for both communities and wildlife.
At Bishnu Rabha M.E. School, Aaranyak team delivered ‘Gajah Katha’ – Part I, the organisation’s signature educational module that introduces students to elephant behaviour, their natural habitats and the key factors that drive elephants into human settlements.
At Kawli High School, students were taken through ‘Gajah Katha’ – Part I and Part II. While Part I focused on understanding elephant ecology and behaviour, Part II engaged students in learning about community-based mitigation strategies, safe practices and collective actions that help minimise conflict.
Each session began with an open, interactive discussion where students and teachers shared personal experiences, concerns and observations. The sessions explored essential topics such as why elephants enter villages or agricultural fields, how communities can respond safely and what practical steps can be taken to avoid conflict.
Storytelling, participatory discussions and real-life case examples made the learning experience engaging and relatable for the students. A total of 126 students from both schools actively participated in the programmes.
The sessions were facilitated by Aaranyak team members Abhilasha Boruah, Abhijit Saikia, Hemanta Phukan, Bistirna Burhagohain, Bikash Tossa, Manav Nayak and Pradip Barman, whose expertise helped make the programme impactful and informative.
