Guwahati: In its ongoing commitment to address human-elephant conflict (HEC) and promote coexistence in affected regions, the leading biodiversity conservation organization Aaranyak has recently implemented the installation of 25 solar street lights (SSL) in key HEC hotspots within Goalpara district, Assam.
These solar lights are designed to assist local villagers in spotting wild elephants at night from a safe distance, enabling them to either avoid close encounters or retreat to safer areas promptly. The installation of these solar street lights, carried out in collaboration with the communities impacted by HEC, represents one of the strategies employed by Aaranyak over recent years to alleviate conflict in the interconnected Goalpara-WGH landscape.
This HEC-affected region spans the Assam-Meghalaya state boundary. The solar street lights were installed on March 19 and 20 of this year across various villages in the landscape, with significant involvement from the local community.
A total of 20 solar street lights have been installed across 13 villages in the Goalpara district of Assam. The villages benefiting from this initiative include Jalapara (2 SSL), Belpara (1 SSL), and Pachim Matia (2 SSL) within the Ranjuli Forest Range; Dahikata (2 SSL), Dakurbhita (1 SSL), Rangagarha (2 SSL), Mamakata (2 SSL), Amtola (2 SSL), and Nichinta (1 SSL) under the Goalpara Sadar Forest Range; Sapleng (1 SSL) in the Krishnai Forest Range; and Thahurbilla (1 SSL), Borjhora (1 SSL), and Dhamor (2 SSL) within the Lakhipur Forest Range.
Additionally, five solar street lights have been installed in three villages with the assistance of the Darwin Initiative. This includes two SSL at Khokapara (Lahapara), two SSL at Chisikgre (Belguri), and one SSL at Photamati, all located in the Holaidonga Forest Range of the West Garo Hills district in Meghalaya, as reported in a press release.
